Many countries are facing major economic and political problems due to water shortages. However, a combination of new technologies and more intelligent water use can virtually eliminate the problem while boosting the economy.  This is the conclusion reached by the McIlvaine Company in Air/Gas/Water/Fluid Treatment and Control: World Market.  (www.mcilvainecompany.com)

Israel is the shining example of what can be done. Not only was water in short supply a decade ago, but the available supply has shrunk further due to droughts.  However, Israel now has a water surplus and a booming economy. The reason is it has embraced the latest desalination technologies and has adopted a policy of water reuse.  Eighty percent of the water now used in Israeli cities is desalinated seawater.  All municipal wastewater is reused.  Furthermore, Israel has led the world in drip irrigation. 

The Amiad, Arkal and other filter technologies developed in Israel were originally to filter water which has to move through tiny drip tubes and must be free of contamination.  So Israel is now the headquarters for a number of international filtration companies.  Amiad has developed into a $100 million corporation.

Desalination is decreasing in cost while the true cost of water from fresh sources continues to rise.  San Diego is installing a large desalination system rather than rely on imported water.  Water shortages in the Southwest U.S. are causing municipalities to rethink pricing of water. In fact, in some of the hardest hit communities, water prices are actually lower than in some Eastern cities where water is plentiful.  If cities reset prices to levels based on demand, the cost of desalination will be comparatively attractive in many areas of the U.S.

Treated municipal wastewater should replace fresh water at power plants.  Studies show that there are power plants in the proximity of nearly all large municipal wastewater treatment plants. There are chemical and physical treatment methods to make treated wastewater acceptable for all power plant requirements.

There are many technology advances which make desalination more cost effective.  Larger membrane modules with lower pressure drop are now available.  The recovery of reverse osmosis pump energy is another.  Pre filters caused problems at Tampa Bay. However, there are reliable inexpensive pre filters which are available.  Improvements in treatment chemicals keep the membrane surfaces clean. Improved pumps and valves reduce maintenance expense.  Cost effective corrosion resistant materials are also now available.

For more information on Air/Gas/Water/Fluid Treatment and Control: World Market, click on: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/445-n064-air-gas-water-fluid-treatment.

Gas turbines are the leading choice for additional capacity in the U.S. and Europe.  As a result, in 2015 installed gas turbines will be capable of generating 1.3 million MW of electricity.  This large and growing installed base has generated a substantial market for turbine components, steam cycle components, intake air filters and treatment chemicals.  A number of McIlvaine publications forecast these expenditures and track the individual plant activity.

The trend is away from peaking units and toward combined cycle operation.  One reason is the higher global warming potential of peaking units. The aftermarket potential for a combined cycle plant is 20 percent higher than for a peaking plant with the same electrical output.  However, sales of some products are lower.  Air intake filters and gas turbine component replacement sales are lower. However, steam turbine, HRSG, water filtration, pump and valve replacement sales are higher.

Many new plants are opting for zero liquid discharge. There are two options.   One is dry cooling. Many Chinese plants are being equipped with air cooled condensers.  This is due to the water scarcity in the country.  Some new gas turbines in the U.S. are also opting for dry cooling.  Most new turbines in the arid southwest are being equipped with air cooled condensers.  Some new plants in areas where water is plentiful have also opted for dry cooling. The reason is to fast track construction and avoid water permit requirements.

A second option is to use wet cooling with water recycling.  A bleed loop is directed to a filtration and evaporation system.  This results in pure water recovery and waste which can be disposed as a solid. This option has become quite popular.  It can be combined with use of municipal wastewater to eliminate any water withdrawal.

The frequent cycling of turbine units which are working in tandem with solar and wind generation has resulted in a larger repair market than for units operating in a steady state.  Problems such as stellite delamination of valves have been encountered.

For more information on the projects and turbine markets click on:  59EI Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Supplier Program