Hybrid system for water desalination and electricity generation powered by geothermal energy
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • Freshwater output reached 4,708 m 3 /day at 150 °C geothermal heat source. • Levelized cost of water (LCOW) dropped to $1.05/m 3 at 150 °C. • Steam generation increased from 50 to 600 m 3 /day as temperature rose to 150 °C. • Performance ratio improved from 4.2 to 6.0 with higher geothermal temperatures. This study investigated a hybrid system that integrated geothermal energy for both electricity generation and water desalination. The system optimized resource utilization and enhanced overall efficiency by combining geothermal heat with advanced desalination technologies and power generation processes. The proposed system focused on Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology for applications in water desalination combined heat and power (CHP) generation and the recovery of low-temperature geothermal heat. Several ORC configurations were explored to obtain power from low-temperature heat sources. A mathematical model of the system was developed using Aspen HYSYS simulation software incorporating thermodynamic principles to analyze heat and mass transfer within the system. Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) and ORC processes were involved. The economic feasibility of the hybrid system was assessed. The results indicated that the electricity production cost was $0.07 per kilowatt-hour and the desalination cost was $1.05 per cubic meter of water. The system’s output was estimated at 1,800 kW of electricity and 4,750 cubic meters of fresh water per day.
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,170
Award: G1297401997
OpenAlex ID: W4408750734