RD conveyor idea in 2002

The Newsletter of

The Middle East Desalination Research Center
Issue 17

October 2002




Koussai Quteishat

Center Director
KEEP THE DEAD SEA ALIVE

Yet enhance the lives of people living on its shores









The case we are addressing here is the Red to Dead Sea Conveyor Project slated in the Johannesburg Earth Summit in August 2002 as an integrated project addressing a potential environmental disaster, defining a renewable source of energy and proposing desalination as a viable source of water supply.



Thermal, solar, wind, nuclear, and tidal are all energy sources, at various stages of applicability, that are/can be used to produce desalinated water. Selection of one over the other is governed by many factors, the primary of which are economical and environmental. These two factors combined give a measure of sustainability. The Red to Dead Sea Conveyor (RDC) uses gravity to generate power. Although common, hydraulic power is not usually associated with desalination since where hydraulic power prevails, relatively fresh water also prevails. The RDC is thus an ideal case that addresses the two primary factors for sustainability, namely energy and environment.



Seawater is a renewable source of water. The dream, since desalination became a viable source of water supply, has been to have an economic and renewable source of energy that is also environmentally friendly. The Red to Dead Sea Conveyor (RDC) is thus an ideal combination of renewable water and renewable energy.



The challenge of integrating energy-water-environment, as the tripod for sustainable development, is addressed through technological advancements. In the case of the RDC, technology has to be harnessed to tackle the various issues that the project may raise.



MEDRC sees the RDC as a viable project that is worthy of pursuing. We wish herein to make the desalination industry aware of the project. We are aware that abundant research is warranted to address the technical issues related to desalination. The project is not the type that can await implementation to resolve any problems of technical nature. These have to be forecasted and solutions defined. We have few specific research projects in mind to initiate the momentum needed for the industry to place this project on its drawing board, and welcome any unsolicited proposals that would define and tackle any of the issues that may be forthcoming in such a scheme.



The Red Sea – Dead Sea Conveyer (RDC) Project entails the transfer of seawater from the Red Sea through a conveyance system, about 180 km in length, to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is nearly 400 meter below the normal sea level. The difference in height will be utilized hydrostatically to desalinate the incoming water to supply Jordan, Palestine, and Israel with fresh water. The proposed Reverse Osmosis desalination will result in the largest RO plant in the world, producing about 850 million cubic meters per year. The project will also provide water needed to raise the Dead Sea to its original level and to replenish the annually evaporated water. Other side benefits will cultivate from the project in areas such as energy, tourism, agriculture, etc.



Facts about the Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyor Project (RDC)



The Dead Sea Salinity is ten times the normal sea salinity.



The Dead sea is the lowest point on earth at about 410 meter

(1360 feet) below sea level.



The level of the Dead Sea is dropping at annual rate of 0.5 to 1.0 meter for the last 40 years.



The surface area of the Dead Sea has decreased from 1000 to 669 square kilometers in the same period.



The length of the intended conveyer to transport water from the Red Sea to replenish the Dead Sea is about 200 km



About 400 m of hydrostatic head can be utilized to power Reverse Osmosis desalination plant.



Annually 850 Million Cubic Meter of desalinated water is to be produced for the benefit of the shoring nations.