Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis for the Selection of Desalination Technologies

Abstract

Accessible fresh water resources for drinking and usage are very limited in our world. Furthermore, these limited fresh water resources are gradually decreasing due to climate change, industrialization, and population growth. Despite the ever-increasing need for water, the inadequacies in our resources have made it critical to develop alternative drinking and utility water production methods. Desalination, one of the most important alternatives for fresh water supply, is on the rise on a global scale. Desalination facilities use various thermal and membrane techniques to separate water and salt. Concentrated brine, which contains desalination chemicals and significant amounts of salt, and is formed in high volumes from desalination processes, is also a concern. This article compares various desalination techniques using a multi-criteria decision-making method. The findings show that the Reverse Osmosis & Membrane Crystallization process is the most preferred technology due to its cost advantages as well as operational efficiency. Similarly, Multistage flash &Electrodialysis, the least preferred alternative, has been criticized for its low cost-effectiveness. These results suggest that cost and operational efficiency will continue to be the main drivers in the evaluation of desalination technologies in the near future.