Desalination and its potential for harnessing brine and solar energy in the US Virgin Islands
Name
52724898-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
5.67 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
87ee06cc9970d10fc76b70ef04740a66
Author(s)
Miilu, Michelle, 1975-
Advisor(s)
E. Eric Adams.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
A review was conducted of potential methods for achieving desalination sustainability with specific reference to the US Virgin Islands. Thermodynamic efficiency, industrial ecology, and renewable energy were assessed for their application in desalination and contextual relevance to specific desalination processes. Renewable energy was determined to provide the greatest near-term potential for moving towards sustainable desalination. High desalination energy requirement and near-complete dependence on fossil fuels, the applicability of renewable energy to any desalination process and the advanced level of renewable energy technologies were key factors in this determination. An analysis was then performed of three renewable energy technologies for a mechanical vapor compression desalination plant on St. John, USVI. Solar pond, photovoltaic, and wind turbine energy were evaluated for their feasibility and the benefits towards sustainability they provide. Wind turbine energy was determined most suitable for the St. John plant in both respects.
Description
Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-46).
Subjects
Civil and Environmental Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Terms of Use
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