Identification and Prioritization of Risks in Humidification Dehumidification Desalination Plants using the DEMATEL Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student of Industrial Engineering, Shahid Nikbakht Faculty of Engineering, Sistan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Shahid Nikbakht Faculty of Engineering, Sistan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran.

Abstract

Due to the scarcity of fresh water resources in Iran like many other parts of the world, the demand for providing drinking water resources using desalination processes is increasing. The desalination processes though require a significant amount of energy and financial resources. Therefore, the economic study of water desalination processes is very important in order to choose the optimal desalination method. Identifying and evaluating the risks associated with each process is a great help for the economic evaluation of such projects.
In this research, with the help of Delphi method, significant risks in the construction and operation of humidifiers-dehumidifiers have been identified among 35 risks. Then, using the DEMATEL method, which is one of the decision-making methods based on pairwise comparisons, risks were prioritized based on the degree of impact and effectiveness. A total of 13 risks have been identified in the five fields of technical, economic and support, executive, political, and environmental. It can be argued that the factors of choosing inappropriate manufacturing technology, price changes and inflation, energy supply, improper design of wastewater and waste disposal systems and large-scale technology maturity are the main risk factors in this type of desalination plants. The results showed that locating this group of desalination plants requires careful study of the temperature difference and the intensity of cold and hot conditions. It can also be concluded that to apply this desalinization process in a large and industrial scale requires further studies.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 January 2022
  • Revise Date: 31 March 2022
  • Accept Date: 28 April 2022

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