Desalination in Australia

Desalination in Australia 

…Drought proofing Australia in a Sustainable Way 

OC Water Summit 

Session 1 

Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Resort 

May 14, 2010 

Gary J. Crisp 

Global Business Leader – Desalination: GHD 

BSc. Civil Engineering, C Eng., MICE, CP Eng., FIE Aust., PMP

It’s not about water. 

It’s aboutenergy!

“Energy is eternal delight!” 

Energy is liberation. 

William Blake, author, poet, visionary, 1757 – 1827

Presentation Overview 

• Introduction 

• The Big Six, Including Gold Coast

Total Annual* Inflow to Perth Dams** (GL) 

1911 

1913 

1915 

1917 

1919 

1921 

1923 

1925 

1927 

1929 

1931 

1933 

1935 

1937 

1939 

1941 

1943 

1945 

1947 

1949 

1951 

1953 

1955 

1957 

1959 

1961 

1963 

1965 

1967 

1969 

1971 

1973 

1975 

1977 

1979 

1981 

1983 

1985 

1987 

1989 

1991 

1993 

1995 

1997 

1999 

2001 

2003 

2005 

Impact of Drying Climate 

- Reduced Inflow to Dams (as at 1 Nov 06) 

1000 

900 

800 

700 

Annual Total 

1911-1974 av (338 GL) 

1975 - 1996 av (177 GL) 

1997 -2005 av (114 GL) 

Regression 1960 to 2005 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

2006 

100 

0 

Notes: 

- A year is taken as May to April 

- 2005/06 inflow to 1st November 2006 

Courtesy of the Water Corporation

41000 gallons/y per 

capita 

by 2012 (for Perth) 

Wungong Trial 

Gnangara Pines 

Metro Catchments 

Catchment Management 

Smarter use of Water 

Wellington Dam 

Brunswick River 

Dam 

Perth Seawater 

Desalination Plant 

Surface Water 

Groundwater 

SW Yarragadee 

Gingin 

Yanchep 

Eglington 

Water Efficiency 

From Irrigation 

Water Trading 

Water Recycling 

Groundwater 

Kwinana Water 

Reclamation Plant 

20% reuse by 2012 target 

Courtesy of Water Corporation

Desalination History 

• Aristotle described distillation - 400 BC 

• Distillation: Desalination on early ships - 200AD 

• Distillation: MED (Norbert Rillieux, 1806 - 1894) 

• Coolgardie Water Distillery (WA) - 1895 

• Distillation: Desalination MSF - 1956 

• Distillation: Desalination MED - 1960 

• Distillation: Desalination MVC, METC – 1960 

• Membrane: RO (Drs. Sourirajan & Loeb @ UCLA, 1959) 

• Membrane: RO (John Cadotte - FilmTec, 1970) 

• Membrane: Desalination RO and NF - 1970 

• Membrane: Pre-treatment (MF, UF) - 1990 

• Membrane: Wastewater (MBR) - 2000 

Dr. Sid Loeb 

2005 - 2008

SWRO Power Consumption (July 1, 2001) 

•

Water Resource Cost Trends: US $/m 3 

Perth Seawater Desalination Plant Water Cost 0.90 $/m 3 

Cost ($/m 3 ) 

THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE 

The TRUE Value of Water 

Obtained with Minimal 

Environmental Impact 

The 

Environmental 

“Forgotten” 

Year 

Global Water Intelligence - October 2006 

• Water from the oceans is still perceived as a „technology‟ solution, but desalination should be 

recognised as a „policy‟ solution

The Desalination Process

The Big 

Australia‟s six big desalination plants

The Big Six – No. 1 

Perth Seawater Desalination Plant (Perth I) - 38 mgd 

• Client: Water Corporation 

• Capacity: 38 mgd 

• Plant Capital Cost: $266 million 

• Connecting System (IWSS): $51 million 

• Total Capital Cost: $317 million 

• Total Operating Cost: $16 million/year 

• Unit Cost: $1,172/AF (AU$1.00/m 3 ) 

• Commissioning Completion: 2007 

• GHD Involvement: Production of Basis of Design and Basis of Construction 

Documents, 3 rd Party Review of Designs from both 

Competing Consortia, Durability Reviews During Design 

and Construction Phase, Integration Network Concept and 

Detailed Design including the largest Pumping Station in 

the Perth Integrated System, the Nicholson Road Pumping 

Station (10 MW). Seaglider Oceanographic Measurements 

• Configuration: Open Intake, Diffuser Outfall, Travelling Band Screens, Dual 

Media Pressure Filtration, 5 Micron Cartridge Filtration,2 Pass 

SWRO System, Lime and CO 2 Re-mineralisation 

• Seawater Feed Quality: 35000 – 38000 mg/L TDS 

• Product Water Quality: < 200 mg/L 

• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): < 13.63 kWh/kgal (3.6 kWh/m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Degremont (France/Spain) 

• Awards: GWI Membrane Desalination Plant of Year 2006 

ERI Awarded GWI Environmental Contribution of the Year 2006

Perth Seawater Desalination Plant 

16 acres 

• Located in Kwinana 

• 38 mgd Capacity: 40,552 AF/Y 

• 24 MW Power Required 

• 140 mg/L Product Water 

• Commenced operation in Nov. „06 

• Wind Power is used as offset 



6 acres 

16 acres 



Seawater Intake System – Inlet Structure 



Seawater Intake System – Inlet Structure 



Seawater Intake System – Pipes and Works 

Courtesy of the Water Corporation 



Onshore Active Screening – Band Screen 



Seawater Intake and Outlet Works 



Single Stage Dual Media Pressure Filtration and Cartridge Filters


Reverse Osmosis Process Flow – Operating Principals & Arrangement 

First Pass 

Second Pass 

PRETREATED 

WATER 

HP 

Pump 

(Common By-pass) 

PRODUCTION 

1 st Stage 

2 nd Stage 

Energy Recovery System 

(12 x 16 in Parallel) 

1 ST PASS FEEDING 

(recycling) 

REJECT 

MDJV in Alliance with Water Corporation


High Pressure Pumps 2.6 MW Each (6 in total) 

Each Pump Equivalent to 

15 Toyota Lexus GX 

Wagon 8st 4dr Man 6sp 

4x4 4.0i 

0.179 MW @ 5200rpm 

each.* 

*Red Book (Australia) specifications 



Circulation Pumps 134 kW each (12 in total) 

Each Pump Equivalent 

to 1 Toyota RAV 4 5st 

4dr Man 4x4 2.0i 

0.132 MW @ 5200rpm 

each.* 




RO Building Looking South – 2 nd Pass RO 



Pressure Exchanger Rack 1.2 MW each (12 in total) 

Each Rack Equivalent 

to 8 Ford Escape 

Wagon 4dr Auto 4sp 

4x4 3.0i 

0.152 MW @ 4750rpm 

each.* 



Perth Seawater Desalination Project 

PX Process

Perth Seawater Desalination Project 

Beyond Tomorrow


Potabilization System and Drinking Water Storage Tank 



Drinking Water Transfer Pump Station 



Concentrate Discharge and Residuals System 



Brine Discharge System 

55yd limit for 

mixing zone 

32yd mixing zone – 

achieve 42 x dilution 

20 diffuser ports 

at 4.5yd spacing 

Outfall 

pipeline


Seawater Concentrate - Salinity 

Initial mixing zone 

=110 yards 

water surface 

farfield 

45x 

dilution 



Real Time Monitoring 



Rhodamine Dye Test 

These tests proved 

the Mathematical / 

Computer Model 

analyses. 

Note the marine 

growth on the 

diffuser ports. 


Under the Surface 



Sustainable Power - Wind Energy 

Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Stanwell/Griffin Joint Venture - Emu Downs 

wind generation facility – at Badgingarra 

200 north of Perth 

Water Corporation is purchasing 66 

percent of the energy output 

24 MW (185 GW hrs/annum) 

Opened on 12 November 2006 



Sustainable Power - Wind Energy 

• Capacity = 80 MW 

• No. of Turbines = 48 

• Hub Height = 74 yd 

• Blade Length = 44 yd 

• Wind Farm Area = 18 mile 2 

• Wind Farm (66%) = 12 mile 2




Perth Seawater Desalination Plant – Demonstration Plant


Gold Coast Desalination Plant - 35 mgd (133 MLD) 

• Client: Water Secure - Queensland 

• Capacity: 36 mgd 

• Plant Capital Cost: $745 million (tunnels $213 million) 

• Connecting System (IWSS): $198 million 

• Total Capital Cost: $943 million 


• Unit Cost: $2,932/AF ($2.03/m 3 ) 


• GHD Involvement: Owners Engineer Construction and Design Review, 

Durability, 3 rd Party Review, overall alliance project 

management from owners viewpoint, water quality (raw and 

product), instrumentation and commissioning, M&E 

Review, SCADA Review 

• Configuration: Open Intake, Diffuser Outfall, Drum Screens, Dual Media 

Gravity 

Filtration, 5 Micron Cartridge Filtration, 2 Pass SWRO 

System, Lime 

and CO 2 Re-mineralisation 



• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): < 12.38 kWh/kgal (3.30 kWh/m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Veolia (France) 

• Awards: GWI Membrane Desalination Plant of Year 2008

Gold Coast Desalination Plant 

• Located in Tugin 

• 36 mgd Capacity: 38,427 AF/Y 

• 22 MW Power Required 

• 140 mg/L Product Water 

• Commenced operation in Nov. „08 

• Green Energy as offset

16 mile 43 inch distribution main 

8 mg reservoir & pump station 

Twin 3.4 m OD intake/outfall tunnels 

1.5 mile & 1.3 mile sized for 45 mgd 

33 mgd Plant ave. 94% availability 

36 mgd peak daily production

Chlorine 


SCREENS 


H2SO4 

Fe2(SO4)3 

Poly 

DUAL MEDIA 

FILTERS 

FILTERED 

SEAWATER 

TANK 

H2SO4 

Antiscalant 

SMBS 

HP PUMPS 

PRETEATMENT 

CARTRIDGE 

FILTERS 

SMBS 

THICKENER 

Fe2(SO4)3 

Poly 

INTAKE TUNNEL 

INTAKE 

OUTFALL 

33% Bypass Line 

RESIDUALS 

REVERSE OSMOSIS 

Poly 

CENTRIFUGE 

ERD 

2 nd PASS RO 

NaOH 

Antiscalant 

OUTFALL TUNNEL 

1 st PASS 

PERMEATE TANK 

1 st PASS RO 

SEAWATER 

FILTERED SEAWATER 

BRINE 

LOW SALINITY WATER 

CO2 

Lime 

REMINERALISATION 

TANK 

REMINERALISATION 



POTABLE WATER 

TANK 

DISTRIBUTION 

NETWORK

Aerial View of Desalination Plant 

Pretreatment 

SWRO & 

BWRO 

Residuals 

Treatment 

Admin 

/Lab 

Chemical 

Storage 

Remineralisation 

/Storage 

Seawater 

Intake 

& screen 

HV 

substation 

Brine 

discharge 

shaft 

Potable 

water pump 

station

Marine Tunnels 

 

 

SEP supported by tug drawn 

barge- install inlet/outlet risers 

 

 

inlet 

outlet

Seawater Intake 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intake riser 4.5 yd from seabed 20 yd water depth 

Coarse screen 6 inch – vertical bars. Horizontal flow, low velocity to prevent 

entrainment

Seawater Intake - Coarse Screen 

6.32 m 

2.11 m

Pretreatment 

Pretreatment 

6 Months piloting of pretreatment 

Chemical addition, two static mixers 

Four flocculation tanks 

18 dual media gravity filters 

24 h filter run time

Pretreatment

Residuals 

 

 

Filter backwash (5 mgd), neutralised CIP wastewater, lime sludge treated in Residuals 

Section 

Wastewater is coagulated with ferric sulphate/polymer and clarified in lamella separator 

Sludge (15% solids) dewatered by centrifuge and sent to isolated cell in landfill (max. 65 

cubic yard)

Desalination Plant Feed 

 

 

Filtered seawater split into 2 streams 

45% to RO % 55% to ERD 

RO booster pumps provide suction pressure for HP pumps & ERD booster pumps to feed 

ERD 

Cartridge filters – 5 µm

First Pass SWRO 

Four HP Torishima VSD pumps (5 MW feed) 9 SWRO trains through 

common HP manifold 

9 trains at 100% capacity 

Each SWRO train has Calder DWEER ERD 

45% recovery

Desalination Plant Feed – 1 st Pass 

4 x High Pressure Pumps 4.8 MW Each 

(Each equivalent to 28 Toyota Lexus GX Wagon 8st 4dr Man 6sp 4x4 4.0i 

0.179 MW @ 5200rpm each - Red Book Specifications)

Seawater Reverse Osmosis - ERD 

Operating Principles & Arrangement 

First Pass 

Second Pass 

(Common By-pass) 

PRODUCTION 

PRETREATED 

WATER 

3 HP Pumps 

1 st Stage 

2 nd Stage 

REJECT 

Energy 

Recovery 

System 

(1 per rack) 

1 ST PASS FEEDING 

(recycling)

Energy Recovery Device - 1 st Pass 

Pressure Exchanger Rack 1.6 MW Each (9 racks in total) 

(Equivalent to 11 Mazda Tribute Wagon 4dr Auto 4sp 4x4 3.0i 

0.152 MW @ 4750rpm each - Red Book Specifications) 

Re-circulation Pumps 180 kW Each 

Equivalent to 11 Toyota Lexus GX Wagon 8st 

4dr Man 6sp 4x4 4.0i 0.179 MW @ 5200rpm 

each - Red Book Specifications)

RO Building Pressure Vessel Racks - 1 st Pass

Rear permeate from SWRO 

Second Pass SWRO 

3 trains at 100% capacity 

85% recovery 

Brine re-circulated back to filtered seawater tank 

Total desalination energy consumption

Remineralisation and Storage 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon dioxide and lime water addition 

Chlorination 

Two 4 mg glass fused bolted steel tanks (5 h storage) to provide disinfection contact time and 

for control 

Water quality monitoring TDS< 220 mg/L etc 

Ultimately Fluoridation.

Brine Discharge 

 

 

 

 

Brine (49 mgd) from first pass RO mixed with supernatant from residuals, sent back to 

sea 

Brine diluted and dispersed through 20 diffusers 60° to the horizon staggered on 306 yd 

long diffuser manifold 

Extensive modeling to ensure optimum mixing to background levels in near field 

Mixing zone 132 yd x 442 yd

6.5 yd 

Diffuser 

6.0 yd 

1200mm PE

Network Connection 

 

 

 

 

4 potable water transfer pumps 

16 mile of 43 inch pipeline 

8 mg reservoir “Robina Mixing Reservoir” Desalinated water mixed with water from 

Mudgeraba WTP 

Pump Station Tarrant drive



Courtesy of WaterSecure









My Office for 2 years 







Low HP Pump Feed Pressure < 53 bar 

American Translation “769psi” 

Minimal Drum Screen Screenings (note the “Wheelie Bin”) 

American Translation “Trash Can” 




3 duty 1 standby High Pressure Pumps (4.8 MW each) 



Sydney Desalination Plant - 66 mgd – Expandable to 132 

• Client: Sydney Water – New South Wales 

• Capacity: 66 mgd (expandable to 132 mgd) 

• Plant Capital Cost: $787 million (tunnels $189 million) 

• Connecting System: $410 million 

• Other: $246 million 

• Total Capital Cost: $1,443 million 


• Unit Cost: $1,950/AF ($1.74/m 3 ) 


• GHD Involvement: Feasibility Study, Preparation of Environmental Statement and 

Secured Approvals. Prepared Reference Design and Basis of Design 

and Construct, Seawater quality sampling program, All Geotechnical 

Investigations (on & offshore), Pilot Plant Infrastructure Design and 

Facilitation, Procurement Method Evaluation, Tender Documentation, 

Tender Evaluation (Owners Engineer), Technical Advisor – Design 

Review of Contractors Design, Durability, Construction Surveillance 

& Commissioning Support, Marine & Estuarine Monitoring Program 

Management, Represented Owner‟s Interest During Construction. 

• Configuration: Open Intake, Diffuser Outfall, Drum Screens, Dual Media Gravity 

Filtration, 5 


• Product Water Quality: < 140 mg/L TDS 

• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC):< 14.76 kWh/kgal (3.9 kWh/m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Veolia (France) 

• Awards: Not Yet Complete 

Micron Cartridge Filtration, 2 Pass SWRO System, Lime and CO 2 Remineralisation


Sydney Desalination Plant - 36 mgd 

Courtesy of Sydney Water


Sydney Desalination Plant - 66 mgd expandable to 132 

Courtesy of Sydney Water


Adelaide Desalination Plants I and II – 40 + 40 mgd (150 MLD each) 

• Client: South Australia Water 

• Capacity: 36 mgd + 18 mgd +18 mgd 

• Plant Capital Cost: $1,255 million (Estimated) 

• Connecting System (IWSS): $246 million (Estimated) 


• Total Operating Cost: $67 million/year (36mgd) 

• Unit Cost: $3,033/AF ($2.70/m 3 ) Estimated levelised cost 

• First Water: December 2012 

• GHD Involvement: Owners Engineer due diligence review during 

project development phase, Environmental 

Impact Statement and Development 

Approvals, Water Quality Integration Review 

and Ongoing Support. 

• Configuration: Open Intake, Diffuser Outfall, capacity to 72 

mgd 2 Pass SWRO System, initial capacity 54 

mgd Lime and CO 2 Re-mineralisation 



• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): < 18.93 kWh/kgal (5 kWh/ m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Acciona (Spain) 

• Awards: Not Completed Yet


Adelaide Desalination Plants I and II – 40 + 40 mgd (150 MLD each) 

Courtesy of SA Water


Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (Perth II) - 40 mgd to 80 mgd 

• Client: Water Corporation of Western Australia 

• Capacity: 40 mgd 1 st Stage, 80 mgd 2 nd Stage 

• Plant Capital Cost: $640 million (Estimated with double intake/outfall) 

• Connecting System (IWSS): $98 million (Estimated) 

• Total Capital Cost: $738 million (Estimated) 

• Total Operating Cost: $29 million/year (Estimated) 

• Unit Cost: $2,042/AF ($1.81/m 3 ) Estimated 


• GHD Involvement: Alliance Team / Plant Engineering/ Bid (note, out of 8 expressions of 

interest, which were reduced to two by the Water Corporation, the 

GHD – Acciona - United Utilities Team was one and did not win the 

Alliance Contract. It should be noted that Acciona using this design 

went on to win both Adelaide desalination plant projects from which 

GHD were excluded due to their partial owners role in this project and 

their Owners Engineer Role on Melbourne, for whom Acciona was 

also bidding, hence another set of consulting engineers was 

selected by the contractor). Seaglider Oceanographic Measurements 

• Configuration: Open Intake, Diffuser Outfall, Travelling Band Screens, UF PVDF 

Pressure Filters, 5 Micron Cartridge Filtration, 2 Pass SWRO System, 

Lime and CO 2 Re-mineralisation 



• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): < 13.63 kWh/kgal (3.6 kWh/ m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Tecnicas Reunidas, Valoriza Agua (Spain) 



Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (Perth II) 

40 mgd Expandable to 80 mgd 



Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (Perth II) 

150 MLD (40 mgd) Expandable to 300 MLD (80 mgd) 



The Victorian Desalination Project - 120 mgd 

• Client: Victorian Government 

• Capacity: 120 mgd 1 st Stage, 160 mgd 2 nd Stage 

• Plant Capital Cost: $1,840 million (Estimated) 

• Connecting System (85 km Pipeline): $820 million (Estimated) 

• Underground power connection $246 million (Estimated) 


• Total Operating Cost: $98 million/year (Estimated) 

• Unit Cost: $2,550/AF ($2.27/m 3 ) Estimated 


• GHD Involvement: Feasibility Study, Environment Effects Statement and 

Approvals, Reference Design, Seawater quality sampling 

program, all geotechnical investigations (on & offshore), 

Pilot Plant facilities and support, Marine growth 

experiment, Management of Landowner Engagement, GIS & 

Mapping, Data Management, Tender Preparation and 

Evaluation, Design Review, Strategic Direction and 

Ongoing Support. 

• Configuration: 4 m Dia. Undersea Inlet and Outlet Tunnels, Drum Screens, 

Dual Media Pressure Filtration, Cartridge Filtration, 

2 Pass SWRO System, Lime and CO 2 Re-mineralisation 

• Seawater Feed Quality: 35 000 – 38 000 mg/L TDS 


• Specific Energy Consumption (SEC): < 17.42 kWh/kgal (4.6 kWh/ m 3 ) 

• Technology Contractor: Degremont (France/Spain) 



The Victorian Desalination Project - 120 mgd then 160 mgd 

Courtesy of Victorian Government


The Victorian Desalination Project - 120 mgd then 160 mgd 

Courtesy of Victorian Government

Presentation Overview 

• Lessons Learnt 

• Marine and Coastal Studies 

• Intakes and Outfalls 

• The Sustainability of SWRO 

• Conclusions

Lessons Learnt: World Wide

Badly Installed Leopold Under Drains: 3 Year Old 

Plant in Middle East

General Corrosion: 3 Year Old Plant in Middle East




Sloppy Work and General Corrosion: 3 Year Old 

Plant in Middle East


Glass Reinforced Plastic: 1 Year Old Plant in North 

Africa

Marine and Coastal Studies: Perth II 

• Water Levels 

• Wave Climate 

• Sediment Transport and Beach Erosion 

• Intake Structure 

• Pipeline Protection 

• Pipeline Profile 

• Outfall Structure

Water Level CD (m) 


Water Levels 

• Static Water Level 

• Tide 

• Sea Level Rise 

• Surge 

2.5 

2 

Tide 

Surge 

Total Water Level 

Long-term 

Operation 

Sample Storm Induced Water Level Variation 

1.5 

1 

0.5 

0 

10/12/2007 

00:00:00 

10/12/2007 

12:00:00 

11/12/2007 

00:00:00 

11/12/2007 

12:00:00 

12/12/2007 

00:00:00 

12/12/2007 

12:00:00 

13/12/2007 

00:00:00 

13/12/2007 

12:00:00 

Time


Water Levels 

• Tidal Levels 

• Datum 

• Chart Datum 

• Australian Height 

Datum


Water Levels 

• Extreme High Water Level 

Structural Design 

Operational Limits 

Condition 

Stage 

Tide Component 

(mCD) 

Storm Surge (m) 

Sea Level Rise 

(m) 

Total Estimated 

WL (mCD) 

Maximum Still 

Water Level 

Now 0.9 1.2 0 2.1 

In 100 Years 0.9 1.2 0.45 2.55 

Minimum Still 

Water Level 

Now 0.1 0 0 0.1 

In 100 Years 0.1 0 0.45 0.55

Height (m) 

0 

100 

200 

300 

400 

500 

600 

700 

800 

900 

1000 

1100 

1200 

1300 

1400 

Probablity 


Water Levels 

• Dynamic Water Level 

Loading and 

Structural Stability 

Surface Elevation Probablity of Occurence 

100% 

Offshore 

@ -10m Depth 

@ -8.5m Depth 

90% 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

5.5 

3.5 

1.5 

-0.5 

Surface Profile 

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 

Surface Level (mCD) 

10% 

0% 

-2.5 

-4.5 

-6.5 

-8.5 

Water 

Phase 

Surface 

Angle (degrees) 

MSL Bed Level


Wave Parameters 

• Offshore 

• Based on available 

information from 

Rottnest Island 

• Near shore 

• Based on DHI MIKE SW 

Model 

• (Under Study)

Wave Height (m) / Wave Preiod (s) 


Sediment Transport 

12.00 

10.00 

Significant Wave Height 

Peak Wave Period 

8.00 

• Storm Induced Profile Evaluation 

6.00 

• Sample Design Storm 

4.00 

2.00 

0.00 

• Indicative Beach Profile 

Mon 12:00 

AM 

Mon 12:00 

PM 

Tue 12:00 

AM 

Tue 12:00 

PM 

Time 

Wed 12:00 

AM 

Wed 12:00 

PM 

Thu 12:00 

AM 

Thu 12:00 

PM 

• 

• S-Beach and 1D LitPro Models

Marine and Coastal Studies: Perth II


Intake Structure 

• Intakes to be located at -8.0mCD to -8.5mCD 

• One Intake for each Phase 

• Different options including: 

• alliance developed options 

• Submerged Intake Option 

• Seabed Infiltration Option (HDD) 

• proprietary intake structures such as passive Johnson Screens

GHD Alternative Intake Designs: Perth II 

Submerged Intake Option

Seawater Intake Structure – Conventional 

Submerged Intake – Perth II


Intake Structure 

• Adequate submergence 

• Structural stability 

• Acceptable intake 

velocity 

• Limited intake of 

suspended sediments 

• Constructability


Seawater Intake - Pipeline


Pipeline Trench

Marine and Coastal Studies: Perth II - 

Conventional Intake Pumping Station

Conventional Seawater Pump Station – 

Compartmentalised to Ensure Flooding 

Redundancy – Perth II

Conventional Seawater Pump Station – Compartmentalised 

to Ensure Flooding Redundancy – Perth II

Conventional Intake - Seawater Screening – Perth II

Conventional Intake - Seawater Screening and UF 

Pre-treatment – Perth II

GHD Alternative Intake Designs: Perth II 

Seabed Infiltration Option (HDD)

Marine and Coastal Studies: Perth II –Alternative 

HDD Seabed Infiltration Intake


HDD Pump Station


HDD Pump Station


HDD Pump Station


HDD Pump Station


HDD Pump Station

Seawater Pump Station – Perth II

GHD Waste Streams: Perth II

Waste Streams - Perth II 

Bypass points 

Lime discharge 

Overflow 

UF Overflow 

Brine and waste 

Discharge 

Roof Drainage

Brine & Filter Backwash Tank – Perth II

Brine & Filter Backwash Tank – Perth II

Brine Discharge Tower – Perth II



Brine Outfall and Diffuser System – Perth II

Brine Outfall and Diffuser System – Perth II

Intakes and Outfalls 

GHD Designs – 32 mgd SWRO Plant – Mining Company

32 mgd SWRO Plant: Mining Company – Screened Intake

EXTRACTION OF SURFACE WATER 

PASSIVE INTAKE SCREENS

PASSIVE INTAKE SCREEN

PASSIVE SCREEN - HYDROBURST SYSTEM 

AIR BACKWASH SYSTEM 

4 key components : 

4 

2 

A compressor 

A pressurized air receiver 

1 

One or several discharge valve(s) 

A control cubicle 

3

PASSIVE SCREEN - HYDROBURST SYSTEM 

• Air backwash sizing depends on: 

• Intake size 

• Maximum backwash frequency 

• Distance between air receiver and intake 

• Key elements : receiver and air compressor 

• How it works 

• the compressor 

produces the compressed air that is then 

stored in 

• the receiver 

Pressure vessel code construction.. Then 

• the valve 

opens and lets the air to one of the intakes 

• The PLC/Clock cubicle 

controls the backwash cycles 

transmits all the info to the SOE monitor 

allows local manual operation

PASSVE SCREEN - SITE ADAPTATION 

• Hydraulic: depending on the water flow one of the following design 

can 

be selected 

SK 1: 

Deflector faces the water 

flow, forcing debris away 

from the screen 

Elbow shields the screen 

from debris 

Stream


SK 2: 

rails 

Stream 

Wharf installation with rails for cleaning


SK 3 : 

Trough 

Stream 

Restriction trough to speed up flow 

and keep suspended solids from 

settling at the intake‟s location


• Shallow waters: 

Make sure that there will always be at least 1/2 D of water above (tide, 

summer…) and below the intake. 

D/2 diameter (D) 

D/2


• Entry canals, pits 

In these instances where water speed is very small attention will be paid to 

the local conditions to avoid debris/silt accumulation . 

For instance in a pit it may be worth including : 

• a sloped bottom 

• a pump hole to 

pump the dirt 

out of the pit 

• a pedestal to 

keep the intake 

away from the 

bottom

PASSIVE SCREEN - MOUNTING 

• Examples of support 

Overhanging 

from the flange 

On a cradle 

Concrete foundation

PASSIVE SCREEN - CONFIGURATION 

• Several intakes 

Always try to keep thee flow balanced, i.e. same 

length of piping etc.... 

Stream 

A No No !!

Cu-Ni Intake Screens

Stainless Steel Passive Intake Screens

The Sustainability of SWRO

The Sustainability of SWRO 

Mammoth Water Condenser, Coolgardie Water Distillery, 132,000 gpd 

The ultimate in un-sustainability 

In 1896 the worlds largest desalination plant was built in Western Australia at Coolgardie

It’s not about water. 

It’s aboutenergy!


Affordable Desalination Collaboration (ADC) 

Theoretical minimum SEC for seawater @ 35000 mg/L TDS is 2.83 kWh/kgal (0.748 kWhr/m 3 ) 

To convey 1 kgal of untreated water horizontally over 260 miles uses 12.38 kWh/kgal (3.3 kWh/m3) 

Gold Coast Desalination Plant produces high quality water locally at 12.38 kWh/kgal (3.3 kWh/m3)


Specific Energy Consumption for Different Water Sources 

Process Electrical Thermal Total 

(kWh/m 3 ) (kWh/m 3 ) (kWh/m 3 ) 

MSF 3.2 – 3.7 9.8 – 6.8 13.0 – 10.5 

MED 2.5 - 2.9 6.6 - 4.5 9.0 – 7.4 

METC 2.0 - 2.5 12.0 - 6.5 14.0 - 9.0 

MVC 8.0 - 17.0 N/A N/A 

SWRO 3.3 - 8.5 N/A 3.3 - 8.5 

BWRO 1.0 - 2.5 N/A 1.0 - 2.5 

Waste Water Reuse 1.0 - 2.5 N/A 1.0 - 2.5 

Conventional 0.2 – 1.0 N/A 0.2 – 1.0 

Water piped > 250 Miles 3.3 N/A 3.3


Marine Energy Technologies 

• Marine Energy typically 

refers to: 

• Wave Power 

• Tidal Power 

• Ocean Thermal 

• Offshore Wind


Some Wave Concepts 

Edinburgh Duck 

Archimedes Wave Swing 

Back Bent Ducted Buoy 

AquaBuOY 

PS Frog 

Grampus OWEL 

Bristol Cylinder


Some Wave Concepts – cont‟d 

OPT PowerBuoy 

SeaVolt 

Sea Clam 

Fred Olsen FO 3 

Manchester Bobber 

Wave Dragon 

Ocean Wave Master 

WaveBob



CETO 

Pelamis 

C-Wave 

Cockerell Raft 

Sperboy 

Frond



CETO


Energy Recovery Devices 

CALDER – DWEER 

PRESSURE EXCHANGER 

KSB – SALTEC 


AXIAL PISTON PRESSURE 

EXCHANGER PUMP 

PEI – TURBO BOOSTER 

CALDER - PELTON WHEEL 

IMPULSE TURBINE 

ERI - PX 

PRESSURE EXCHANGER



IDE – IRIS 


DYPREX 


ROVEX PRESSURE 

EXCHANGER 

FEDCO HYDRAULIC 

PRESSURE BOOSTER 

ERI – TITAN PX 

PRESSURE EXCHANGER



AQUALING – ORIGINAL RECUPERATOR 


AQUALING – NEW RECUPERATOR 

PRESSURE EXCHANGER


Water Source Comparison (including another unsustainable concept) 

14 

12 

Unit cost ($/m 3 ) 

12.0 

10 

Power (kWh/m 3 ) 

8 

6 

4 


Energy Comparison 

Old Fridge Energy Requirement 

= 1300 kWh/Year 

Efficient Desalination Plant (SEC) 

Specific Energy Consumption 

= 15.52 kWhr/kgal (4.1 kWh/m 3 )Total 

Equivalent Annual Water Production 

= 84000 gallons /year (317 m 3 /year) 

Garage Fridge 

= A single total domestic water use 

per year inside and outside 

Reverse Cycle Air 8 kW @ 4 h/day in 

Winter and Summer (6 months) 

= 5760 kW/h (Water for 4.5 homes)


Energy Comparison – The MacMansion 

Temperature under black roof 61°C. 

Radiated Heat 39 °C inside house. 

Temperature under reflective roof 31°C. 

Radiated heat 26 °C inside house



If you look at all the energy requirements of new homes (City Beach 8858 

kW/hr per year average per home) you would not believe there is a 

greenhouse gas emission issue. 

Some Big Mac’s (supersized) have up to 15 kW air conditioning systems. 

To add insult to injury, the latest fashion is a black roof with no eaves – 

additional air conditioning required (high calories – just like the Big Mac 

supersized). 

Reverse Cycle Air 15 kW @ 4 hr/day in Winter and Summer (6 months) = 

10800 kW/h (SWRO water for 8.5 homes 

I did not see one black roof on the Canary Islands (and I do not think it 

was just because the islanders have aesthetic appreciation).



The West Australian Tuesday March 8 2007 

Record heat ruins fruit, 

drains power 

Western Power claimed it coped with the 

increased demand despite using temporary 

generators as power consumption hit a peak 

of 3574MW at 4.55 pm, beating Tuesday’s 

high of 3533 MW. 

The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant uses 

0.67% of this energy, whilst Perth was 

using over 30% of the energy for airconditioning. 

Note the new umbilical cords to ensure that the 

black roof keeps the Big Mac cool inside

So … 

How Many Jumbos


Energy Comparisons 

= 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+



or, how many PSDP‟s 

= 

+ 

+



and the answer is! 

= 

One Jumbo Jet 

Taking Off Power 

Cruising Power 

Full Power of One Engine 

Full Power Requirement PSDP 

= 77 MW 

= 65 MW 

= 26 MW 

= 24 MW 

Water for 405,000 homes (Aus) 300,000 homes (USA) or a total 

116,000 passengers transported in one year assuming Jumbo is 

always full, and Jumbo‟s cannot use renewable energy. 

+ 

+

So … 

How Many Queen Mary II‟s



= 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+



= 

or, how many PSDP‟s 

+ 

+ 

+



= 

and the answer is! 

+ 

Guest Capacity: 

• 2,592 lower berths 

• 3,056 maximum capacity (Incl. third and fourth berths) 

Crew: 

•1,253 

Power: 

•118 MW, gas turbine/diesel electric plant 

+ 

+

Annual Streamflow (GL) 

Not So Sustainable 

Surface Water Source – Serpentine Dam 

Serpentine Dam - Streamflow 

200.0 

180.0 

160.0 

140.0 

120.0 

100.0 

80.0 

60.0 

40.0 

20.0 

0.0 

1911 

1914 

1917 

1920 

1923 

Note: years are water years May to April 

Catchment Area 664 km2 

1926 

1929 

1932 

1935 

1938 

1941 

1944 

1947 

1950 

1953 

1956 

1959 

1962 

1965 

1968 

1971 

1974 

1977 

1980 

1983 

1986 

1989 

1992 

1995 

1998 

2001 

2004 

Streamflow Longterm average(62 GL) moving average 

1975 to 1994 MAF (37 GL) 1997 to 2004 MAF(24 GL) 2001 to 2005 MAF(19 GL) 


Seawater Desalination vs. Surface Water Source 

Footprint Comparison – Serpentine Dam 

• Constructed from 1957 to 1961 

• Catchment area = 256 miles 2 (vs. 12 miles 2 ) 

• Surface area at FSL = 2,636 acres (vs. 22 acres) 

• No in-stream flow allocations 

• Yield estimated in early 50s @ 40,552 acre-feet/year - 98% reliability 

• PSDP yield: 40,552 acre-feet/year + @ 100% reliability - 0% failure 

• Yield in 2006 was 4,055 acre-feet/year ; a 90% reduction 

• Desalination 0% failure = 40,552 acre-feet/year - 100% reliability

Future Developments

Future Desalination Developments 

SWRO will still become more efficient due to: 

• New high rejection membranes 

• Chlorine Tolerant Membranes 

• New large diameter membranes 

• New energy recovery devices 

• Membrane pre-treatment advances 

• New materials (more plastics and composites) 

• Advanced pre-treatment and post treatment

Future Desalination Developments 

• Ceramic Membranes 

• Non-chemical treatments for disinfection pre- and post treatment 

• Changing of WHO Boron Guidelines to 2.4 mg/L from 0.5 mg/L 

(hence only one pass required with a potential savings of 15%) 

• Optimal Control Systems and Configurations 

• Nano-technology and smart membranes 

• Forward Osmosis 

• High efficiency reverse osmosis (HERO) and Electro Dialysis 

Reversal (EDR) may become the solution for inland towns where 

groundwater sources are limited

Future Developments 

Reverse-Reverse Osmosis 

(Entropy Recovery - Forward Osmosis - Osmotic Power) 

Patents 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975 

Papers by Dr. Sid Loeb 1976 through 2000

PSDP Linked to Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Gross Available Power 

216 ML/day (57 mgd) Seawater Concentrate 

216 ML/day (57 mgd) of UF Treated Secondary Wastewater 

5MW 

At the same time you would mix the wastewater with the concentrate limiting stratification 

when returning 34,500 mg/L mixed water to the ocean.

Osmotic Power 

Power From Seawater: First Prototype Out, More to Come 

FRESH WATER RUSHES TOWARD SALT WATER. 

PRESSURE BUILDS. POWER IS PRODUCED. NORWAY‟S FIRST PLANT OPENS BUT 

OTHERS ARE LOOKING AT IT AS WELL. 

Statkraft is the world’s leader in the development of osmotic power. Osmotic power is 

clean, renewable energy, with a global potential of 1 600 to 1 700 TWh – equal to China’s 

total electricity consumption in 2002. 

ON TUESDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2009, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT 

OF NORWAY WILL BE OPENING THE WORLD’S FIRST OSMOTIC POWER PLANT AT TOFTE, 

OUTSIDE OSLO. 

Statkraft says a pilot facility that uses saltwater and freshwater to 

generate power could mark a next new source of renewable energy. The 

world‟s first osmotic power plant opened today at Tofte, outside of Oslo. 

And it included a royal kickoff from the Crown Princess Mette-Marit of 

Norway, who pushed the button that set the turbines in motion. 

Osmotic power plant opens, with commercial scale ambitions

Osmotic Energy Recovery Patent Pending 

• Gauge Pressure of 

60 bar ~ 6 kwh/kgal 

Seawater 

desalination with 

gauge pressure 

recovery at 

9.3 kwh/kgal. 

• Osmotic Pressure of 

60 bar ~ 2.4 kwh/kgal 

Seawater desalination 

with gauge pressure 

recovery and with 

osmotic pressure 

recovery at 6.9 

kwh/kgal. 

Seawater 

Intake 


Discharge 

Courtesy of Boris Liberman, Ph.D. 

Vice-President – IDE Technologies Ltd. 

Patent Pending


Osmotic Pressure: 0.3 bar 

MBR Process 

Seawater 

Intake 


Discharge 

Gauge Pressure of 60 bar 

Osmotic Pressure of 60 bar 

Aquifer 

Recharge 

Well 

Groundwater 

Pumping 

Well 





MBR Process 

SWRO Process 

Seawater 

Intake 


Discharge 

Aquifer 

Recharge 

Well 

Groundwater 

Pumping 

Well 





SWRO brine 

1m3/s 

Pg 60bar, Po 60bar 

MBR Treated Water 

1m3/s, Pg = 33bar 

POp = 0.3 bar 

POp 45 bar 

POp 0.45 bar 

NDF 17 bar 

PGp 59.5 bar 

PGp 32 bar 

SWRO brine 

1.9m3/s 

Pg-59bar, Po-30bar 

MBR Water 

0.1m3/s 




Why SWRO is Sustainable & the Future Solution 

1. SWRO reflects the “true benchmark value of water”, the “triple bottom line” as 

environmental, social and financial costs are all included in the unit cost of water. 

No conventional source adequately caters for environmental costs. 

2. SWRO is drought free and provides a totally new (original) source, contrary to 

recycling. 

3. SWRO does not disturb rivers, estuaries, delta’s, the sea and associated habitat 

(fish, siltation, stagnation and in-stream flows). Dams result in the sea getting saltier 

in confined gulfs e.g. Arabian Gulf. Even semi – confined Cockburn Sound in Perth 

has not shown any signs of salinity increase after 3 years of operation (DB09-278 

Perth, Australia: Two-year Feed Back on Operation and Environmental 

Impact). 

4. SWRO does not disturb aquifers and associated habitat (water table, seawater 

intrusion, springs, acid sulphate soils and stygofauna). 

5. SWRO brine discharges and residuals can be environmentally managed (this has 

been proven beyond any doubt in Perth (DB09-278). 

6. SWRO is efficient and becoming more efficient with constant advances.


7. SWRO submerged intakes adequately designed, entrain negligible algae, zooplankton 

and no fish. Entrainment of sea life is minimal with well designed submerged open 

intakes with low velocity. Only some algae and zooplankton (and no fish) in minuscule 

quantities are entrained. Proven by Perth and Gold Coast Desalination Plants. 

8. SWRO can use wind or any renewable energy to ensure no emissions. 

9. SWRO has the smallest environmental and terrestrial footprint of any source (Perth 16 

acres Land + 6 acres Sea + wind farm 12 miles 2 for 17% of the city’s water). 

10. SWRO can be located near to where it is needed. 

11. SWRO need not utilise long pipelines/canals (no need for millions of tons of steel, 

cement or massive excavations – such as required when “bringing water down from the 

north” and using 4.5 times less energy). 

12. SWRO results in minimal greenhouse gas production during the manufacture of 

components. 

13. SWRO results in minimal greenhouse gas production during the construction of the 

plant.


14. The deployment of SWRO plants on coasts ensures that there is a water catchment 

plan in place (for water quality purposes), ensuring the highest degree of ocean 

protection. 

15. SWRO results in zero evaporation, siltation or salt build-up in dams (e.g. Wellington 

Dam, WA). 

16. SWRO water quality is not affected by bush fires, first rain or activities in catchments 

which can affect water quality and future run-off (e.g. Melbourne). 

17. SWRO could ultimately be partially powered by osmotic power (a new form of 

renewable energy). Locate SWRO Plants adjacent to WWT Plants. 

18. SWRO can utilise greenhouse off–sets from renewable energy development from 

anywhere in the world, after all climate change is a global issue. 

19. SWRO can be provided at guaranteed full capacity within two years of 

environmental clearances being obtained. 

20. The future development potential of SWRO is still amazing (especially membranes, 

materials, control systems and logic and energy reduction).

Conclusions 

• A clean unlimited energy supply is the key to most world problems, including 

water supply. 

• Desalination can have the smallest footprint of any source in Australia/ California. 

• A substantial component of Australia‟s water supply needs will be met by water 

reuse and seawater desalination in the medium to long term (18 SWRO and 10 

Reuse existing, under construction and proposed). California could be the same. 

• The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant is the most sophisticated and sustainable 

SWRO plant in the world, utilising the most up-to-date components, it is be the 

world‟s model plant and the only large plant using wind power. 

• PSDP will be eclipsed by a more efficient plant, somewhere in the world within 3 

years, most likely Perth‟s second plant, the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, 

which has to be 80% wind and the other 20% other renewable plus membrane pretreatment.

Conclusions (Continued) 

• PSDP will be eclipsed by a more efficient plant, somewhere in the 

world within 3 years, most likely Perth‟s second plant, the Southern 

Seawater Desalination Plant, which has to be 80% wind and the other 

20% other renewable plus membrane pre-treatment. 

• Water Reuse and desalination are sustainable water sources that will 

contribute to solving Australia‟s/ California‟s water resource issues. 

• SWRO will still become more efficient with new Low Energy High 

Rejection Membranes, Large Diameter Membranes, Membrane Pretreatment, 

new materials and logic and control systems.

Conclusions (Continued) 

• State Governments are urged to undertake strategic forward planning 

in selecting SWRO desalination and wastewater treatment plant sites 

and associated corridors now. This should be planned for 50 years 

ahead. 

• Western Australia has been leading the country (and world) in the use 

of desalination technologies and the diversification of water sources 

SWRO, BWRO, MED, MVC, EDR, HERO, renewables. 

• Other desalination technologies to maximise recovery in a move to 

Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) inland include: ARROW, HEEPM, VSEP

“I have said that I thought if we could ever 

competitively get fresh water from 

saltwater…that it would be in the long range 

interests of humanity which would really 

dwarf any other scientific accomplishment.” 

John F. Kennedy, September 22, 1961 

“If we could produce clean unlimited energy 

at a viable cost, that would indeed be a 

great service to humanity and would dwarf 

any other scientific accomplishment.” 

Gary J. Crisp, 2006


Awarded 

GWI World Membrane Desalination 

Plant of the Year 2007 

ERI Awarded GWI 

Environmental 

Contribution of the 

Year 2007 

Courtesy of Water Corporation 

Courtesy of ERI

Gold Coast Desalination Plant 

Awarded 

GWI World Membrane Desalination 

Plant of the Year 2009 


International Desalination Association 

Awarded 2011 World Congress - to 

Perth 

Western 

Australia 

See You There!

Can California Do the Same in 

SWRO 

“Yes We Can” 

“Aqua La Vista - Baby”

Questions 

Thank you. 

GHD | CLIENTS | PEOPLE | PERFORMANCE 

Gary Crisp, Business Leader - Desalination 

BSc. Civil Engineering, CP Eng., FIEAust, PMP 

T 61 7 3316 4107 | F 61 7 3316 3333 | gary.crisp@ghd.com.au 

201 Charlotte Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia | http://www.ghd.com.au 

GHD serves the global markets of: Infrastructure | Mining & Industry | Defence | Property & Buildings | Environment

Desalination in Australia

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