Modelling and economic evaluation of pressure-retarded osmosis power plant case study: Iran

ABSTRACTIn recent years, a growing interest in investigation of new energies has been observed. Pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) could be a feasible source of renewable energy. This study aims to present a model based on the present technology of PRO power plant components for design and economic evaluation of a PRO power plant, and to investigate case studies in order to demonstrate how each main component of a PRO power plant affects the economic evaluation. Therefore, all the mechanisms including intake and outfall systems, pre-treatment system, membrane system, and transportation and generation systems are explicated and meant to present the capability of the model to design the PRO power plant. Finally, places with a great potential to implement an osmotic power plant in Iran are evaluated. Therefore, the two best feasible sites are selected and three osmotic power plants by different capacities are designed and investigated in each site and the results are compared to explore an applicable site. Sens...