San Diego California,San Diego California, NovemberNovember 15-17, 2010 15-17, 2010

2nd annual Maritime Business & Technology Summit.2nd annual Maritime Business & Technology Summit.

Site specific studies for evaluating Site specific studies for evaluating potential locations for desalinization potential locations for desalinization

plantsplants

Rogelio Vázquez González.Rogelio Vázquez González.Department of Applied Geophysics, CICESE, Department of Applied Geophysics, CICESE, rvazquez@cicese.mx

Panel 5: Panel 5: Desalination, Filtration and Purity DetectionDesalination, Filtration and Purity Detection

The southwest of USA and northwest of The southwest of USA and northwest of

Mexico are one of the fastest growing Mexico are one of the fastest growing

regions. We are faced with the challenge regions. We are faced with the challenge

of expanding the basic service of expanding the basic service

infrastructure to fulfill the growing infrastructure to fulfill the growing

demand, particularly fresh water.demand, particularly fresh water.

IntroductionIntroduction

South of the border the sources for the South of the border the sources for the

water being supplied to satisfy the water being supplied to satisfy the

current demand, are being operated at current demand, are being operated at

the limit of their capacity and locally the limit of their capacity and locally

there is no other groundwater sources .there is no other groundwater sources .

Given that, the State Water Commission has consideredGiven that, the State Water Commission has considered

desalinating sea water to satisfy their requirements. desalinating sea water to satisfy their requirements.

Membrane processesMembrane processes– Reverse OsmosisReverse Osmosis– NanofiltrationNanofiltration– Electro-Dialysis ReversalElectro-Dialysis Reversal– Forward OsmosisForward Osmosis

Thermal processesThermal processes– Flash DistillationFlash Distillation– Multi-Effect DistillationMulti-Effect Distillation– Membrane Distillation Membrane Distillation

Which method of desalinationWhich method of desalination is most appropriate? is most appropriate?

Where ?Where ?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most popular desalination process used in the world. Improvements in efficiency have led to reduce energy consumption, cheaper processing costs.

In October 2009, the State Water In October 2009, the State Water

Commission of Baja California, Commission of Baja California,

established a General Agreement for established a General Agreement for

Collaboration with the Center for Collaboration with the Center for

Scientific Investigation and Higher Scientific Investigation and Higher

Education of Ensenada (CICESE) to Education of Ensenada (CICESE) to

characterize the site to place a characterize the site to place a

desalting plant and perform the desalting plant and perform the

environmental impact assessment.environmental impact assessment.

CICESE is a Public Research institution CICESE is a Public Research institution

coordinated by the National Council for coordinated by the National Council for

Science and Technology (CONACYT ).Science and Technology (CONACYT ).

Organization

Earth Sciences

Administrative

GENERAL DIRECTION

Graduates

Applied Physics Oceanography

Innovation and Development

Telematics

http://www.cicese.edu.mx/http://www.cicese.edu.mx/

Experimental and Applied Biology

•Conservation

Biology.

•Marine

Biotechnology.

•Experimental

Microbiology.

•Computer Sciences.

•Optics .

•Electronics and

Telecommunications.

•Aquaculture.

•Marine Ecology.

•Biological

Oceanography.

• Physical

Oceanography.

•Applied

Geophysics.

•Geology.

•Seismology.

Site specific studies for evaluating potential Site specific studies for evaluating potential locations for the installation of desalinization locations for the installation of desalinization plants;plants;

Relevant aspects:Relevant aspects:

Geology and Geochemistry

Geohydrology and

Geophysics

Inland and marine Ecology

Oceanography

Power supply

Development plans

Population projections Key components of the facility:

•The water intake.

•The disposal of rejected water

Site specific studies for evaluating potential Site specific studies for evaluating potential locations for the installation of desalinization locations for the installation of desalinization plants;plants;

BATHYMETRYBATHYMETRY

Dispersion modeling of water rejected.

Specific studies inland for evaluating and Specific studies inland for evaluating and characterize potential sources and type of water characterize potential sources and type of water intakeintake

Site specific studies for evaluating the Site specific studies for evaluating the composition and abundance of major groups of composition and abundance of major groups of zooplankton and benthos in the area adjacent to zooplankton and benthos in the area adjacent to the location of the intake and discharge.the location of the intake and discharge.

Thanks !Thanks !