Author(s): J. Guruprasath; Bragath R. C; P. Chandramohan
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Keywords: Desalination Reverse Osmosis Hydrodynamics Sedimentation Sediment Transport
Abstract: Desalination plants along the Indian coastline plays a pivotal role in meeting the demand for freshwater in India. With the increased demands for freshwater with the rapid urbanization and industrialization, the coastal states in India have commenced to invest in seawater desalination to augument the water supply. These desalination plants utilizes reverse osmosis technology to provide a reliable source of freshwater. The design and location of seawater intake system pose significant challenges, particularly in India's diverse coastal environments comprising of open sea, creeks, rivers etc. It is necessary to withdraw optimum quality of seawater for reverse osmosis process and to achieve maximum efficient from the desalination plants. The Indian coastline is engulfed with sandy beaches, estuarine ecosystems, river mouths & associated deltaic regions along the east coast and similarly with rocky coast, gulfs & associated creeks along the west coast. Setting up of a desalination plant with intake and outfall facilities in such coastal regime requires proper planning especially with regions dominated by varying hydrodynamic conditions coupled with dynamic sediment transport, environmental regulations, and anthropogenic pressures. This paper explores the unique challenges faced in India, where a desalination plant was proposed alongside Narmada River influenced with tidal exchange, shallow nearshore and suspended sediment concentration issues near an intake structure.
Year: 2025