Assessment of Energy Consumption of Brine Discharge from SWRO Plants

The San Pedro del Pinatar I and II desalination plants in Spain were constructed near Posidonia oceanica meadows protected at the national European level. environmental impact statement for these stipulate that brine discharge from plant must not meadows. To this end, a 4790 m submerged outfall was to bypass lower limit of seagrass meadows, diffuser piece, along with an pumping system, installed end outfall. objective paper is evaluate economic cost energy consumed evacuation process necessary comply requirements. operating time power consumption data obtained plant’s monitoring while invoices. computed results show it possible minimize impacts on marine environment SWRO low cost. average reject effluent system ranged 19.4 1239.3 thousand kWh per year, annual 49,329 €, which amounts only 0.56% total operation. adoption measures provide cost-effective means meet protection requirements associated discharged brine. As demand operations increase, economically scientifically viable technologies mitigating are sustainability domain.