Optimization of the Coupling of Nuclear Reactors and Desalination Systems --- Report on the IAEA Coordinated Research Program ---

Energy and water are essential elements for human existence. Increasing demands worldwide, especially in the developing world, are being intensified both in energy and in freshwater. In many developing countries, the option of combining nuclear energy with seawater desalination is being explored to tackle these two problems. In 1998, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on the "Optimization of the Coupling of Nuclear Reactors and Desalination Systems", with the participation of research institutes from interested IAEA Member States. The Research Project focused on the following four main topics: 1) Nuclear reactor design intended for coupling with desalination systems 2) Optimization of thermal coupling of NSSS and desalination systems 3) Performance improvement of desalination systems for coupling 4) Advance desalination technologies for nuclear desalination The current CRP has been evaluating various coupling configurations of nuclear reactors and desalination systems. Reactor types evaluated in the optimization include a PHWR, PWRs and dedicated heat reactors. The present paper summarizes the overall findings in the CRP, highlighting design optimisation, safety and some economic considerations.