Abstract
Total water production capacity by seawater desalination plants in the Middle East increases by annual rate 15 %. In addition to the increase of population, or the increased demand by promotion of the industry, the renewal demand of the old desalination plants built in the 1970s is also increasing. In large-sized seawater desalination plants, thermal desalination method was conventionally in use, however, RO membrane method is becoming mainstream since it is energy saving technology. In the Middle East countries, in order to secure the export volume of oil and gas resources, the national plans which control the increase of domestic energy consumption were established. As part of the national plan, it is going to convert into RO membrane method from the thermal method from the viewpoint of energy consumption control of seawater desalination. For example, in Saudi Arabia, the desalination plant which produces 600,000 m3/d is going to be built by RO membrane method.
The energy-saving desalination technologies not only using RO membrane but also FO membrane are in the spotlight.
