NEED AND FEASIBILITY OF NUCLEAR DESALINATION FOR LOW-COST POTABLE WATER PRODUCTION

The world is becoming more and more aware of its shortage of fresh water. In more than 50 countries in the world the shortage of water is already creating a critical situation. Dramatic increase of the world population will worsen this critical situation. In order to overcome this critical situation new economic ways for the production of potable water at socially acceptable costs have to be established. Technical and economic evaluations of the available desalination technologies are showing that more advanced desalination systems to reduce investment-and production costs are needed. On the energy side safe, advanced as well as proven heating reactor systems might be an ideal source to cover in an economic predictable way over long periods the energy requirements of advanced desalination systems. The paper summarizes the technical possibilities for desalination systems combined with nuclear reactors based on current experience and on recent evaluations. The paper will also try to indicate the further required R and D needs. The evaluations undertaken indicate that nuclear desalination systems are an ecological safe and feasible way to overcome the expected water shortage in the medium and long term.