Integrated power, water and salt generation: a discussion paper

Cogeneration of electricity and desalinised water - for water production - is an accepted principle in many countries. However, there is an opportunit y to extend the concept to obtain greater efficiencies by reassessing the d esalination paradigm. The new paradigm considers desalination as only part of the saline water processing chain. It looks at value-adding opportunitie s through further processing of salt by-products, particularly bitterns. It considers aspects such as multiple use of evaporation basins, electricity generation from solar ponds using bitterns as a main constituent, and oppor tunities for resource recovery from bitterns. Above all, it considers the i ntegration of water, salt and power production, as a mutually supporting sy stem. The overall concept of better integration of water, salt and power pr oduction is discussed with a focus on the utilisation of saline effluent fr om desalination plants.