Cost Estimation for Application of Membrane Technology in Water Desalination Industry- Comparison with Similar Processes in Iran and the World

In this research the manufacturing (capital-operational-total) cost of membrane-based reverse osmosis (RO) for treatment of brackish and sea water were compared. Also total costs of membrane-based reverse osmosis (RO) and multi effect distillation (MED) technologies for desalination of sea and brackish water were estimated and compared. Also a comparison between costs of membrane technology in Iran versus Europe was carried out. The calculation of Membrane costs were estimated using Verberne and Wouters technique and expenses for distillation process were carried out on the basis of Hisham Ettouney method. All costs were calculated on the basis of the local expenditures in Iran.It was shown that desalination of sea water in more expensive than brackish water also the the manufacturing costs of RO technology is less than MED technology. It was concluded that the capital costs in Iran are higher than Europe while the operational costs are lower. These results in lower total cost in Europe compared to Iran.