Calculating the Carbon Footprint of SWRO Desalination: A Computational Tool

Abstract

A carbon footprint represents the overall carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent emissions embodied in a specific product over its life cycle. This article presents a case study of the carbon footprint of a seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant during pretreatment of 1 m³ of potable water, details contributions of various components during manufacturing and operation, and identifies major carbon footprint contributors, as well as an easy-to-use PC-based spreadsheet that enables nonprofessionals to calculate carbon footprints. The results were extrapolated to the total carbon footprint of a desalination plant (pretreatment plus RO) and compared with results obtained with commercial software. By fairly comparing desalination's carbon footprint with other human activities, the tool can help increase general acceptance of seawater desalination.