Conceptual design and economic analysis of a novel cogeneration desalination process using LNG based on clathrate hydrate

In this study, a novel desalination process, which can cogenerate pure water and electricity using liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energy, is suggested with the aim of addressing the global water scarcity problem. Conventional desalination technologies are energy-intensive; fortunately, this newly proposed desalination process can resolve this energy problem. In addition, to ascertain the economic feasibility of the proposed process, cost analysis is conducted. Consequently, the optimized specific energy consumption of the proposed process is −5.202 kWh/ton of pure water, and the product cost is $0.148 per ton of pure water. These values appear to be outstanding among those obtained in conventional seawater desalination processes. For comparison, the seawater desalination process with a low capital expenditure is also proposed. Lastly, sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the effects of the plant capacity, electricity cost, and temperature on the product cost and the specific energy consumption.