Top nuclear desalination projects

Indeed, the use of nuclear technology in desalination projects has been an innovative response to address water scarcity in coastal and arid regions. Below are some examples of nuclear desalination plants and projects around the world.

Aktau Desalination Plant, Kazakhstan

The world's first nuclear desalination plant was the BN-350 fast reactor in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Its coastal location was strategic as it provided direct access to desalination feedstock in an area known for its arid climate and lack of freshwater sources. In this case, desalination was a vital solution for drinking water supply.

Its main purpose was to provide fresh drinking water for the Mangystau region, but it also generated electricity as a by-product of the desalination process. This cogeneration was a key advantage of the plant and demonstrated the efficiency of nuclear technology by providing multiple benefits.

Until 1999, during 27 years of operation, the Aktau plant supplied up to 135 MWe while producing 80,000 m³/d of drinking water. About 60% of its energy was used for heat and desalination and although the plant was designed for 1000 MWt, it never operated beyond 750 MWt.

This project established the viability and reliability of cogeneration plants, representing a successful example of the application of nuclear power for desalination in a region facing water scarcity.

Nuclear Demonstration Desalination Plant at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu

It is a project that aims to establish a hybrid desalination plant with a capacity of 6,300 cubic meters per day using Multistage Flash Distillation (MSF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) technologies. This facility is located between the existing 170 MWe nuclear power plant and the proposed 500 MWe FBR reactor at Kalpakkam.

The purpose of the plant is to demonstrate the safe and economical production of good quality water through seawater desalination, comprising a 4,500 m³/d MSF plant and a 1,800 m³/d RO plant. The MSF plant uses cheaper construction materials and employs carefully controlled seawater chemistry. Part of the water purified by the MSF process is supplied to the Madras Atomic Power Station for its boiler feeding needs.

The Nuclear Demonstration Desalination Plant at Kalpakkam is recognized as the largest operational hybrid nuclear desalination plant in the world.

Desalination plants in Japan

Currently, Japan has the largest number of seawater desalination plants (eleven units) coupled to PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) type light water reactors. These plants produce about 14,000 m3/d of drinking water and have accumulated more than 100 reactor years of experience. Initially, MSF was used, but it has been discovered that MED (Multiple Effect Distillation) and RO are more efficient there.