Desalination Issue in Australia - Research Paper Example

Desalination of Australia’s seawater is important because it supplies the coastal cities with drinking water. A total of about 460 GL/yr of drinking water was supplied by the desalination plants operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and some parts of South-East Queensland (Australia, 2008).According to Crase (2008), desalination technology aims at removing salts and other contaminants or molecules that are part of the Total Dissolved Solids(TDS) in the water source. Through desalination, TDS content is reduced from between 35000-45000 mg/L down to about 500 mg/L.

Australia applies additional technology of reducing the TDS to less than about 100 mg/L. Additional technology is also incorporated in the disinfection of water, thus making it suitable for drinking. Disinfection aims at removing the microbial pathogens, achieving chemical stabilization and preventing the corrosion of pipes, and in some cases, reducing the incidence of dental caries.Desalination users in Australia are many. The plants supply water for drinking, washing, cleaning, power stations, irrigation schemes, industrial plants and other bodies.

Fortunately, since the introduction of large-scale thermal plants in Australia, the cost of drinking water has steadily declined.The techniques used in desalination are based on three main categories. Some of the techniques employ distillation or freezing techniques, whereas others make use of ion exchange and Electrodialysis or Reverse Osmosis. The design approach of the plant depends on the source of energy to be used and the operation parameters that have been considered.What is more, the construction of desalination plants has an impact on marine, terrestrial and atmospheric conditions and discussed in detail here-in?1. 2 Research ObjectivesTo explore the application of desalination in meeting Australia’s water needsTo evaluate different case studies about Desalination in Australia and their relevance to Australia's water needs.

To explain, in detail, the desalination technologies used in Australia and the determinant factors for each technology.To examine the cost implication of desalination in Australia.