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Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy

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01-10-2015 | Original Paper

The potential of groundwater desalination using forward osmosis for irrigation in Egypt

Authors: Peter Nasr, Hani Sewilam

Published in: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy | Issue 7/2015

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Abstract

As irrigation in Egypt by far is the most significant water user, fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a valid option to increase the availability of freshwater from brackish water. Although most of Egypt’s area has access to brackish groundwater, groundwater in Egypt is not well exploited due to its salinity. FDFO holds high potential as it can make irrigation water available at lower energy than the currently available technologies, and is less vulnerable to operational issues such as membrane fouling, optimizes fertilizers application, and saves on labor cost. The objective of this paper is to explore the potential application of FDFO desalination for brackish groundwater in Egypt. For sustainability reasons, five selection criteria were outlined and two locations have been suggested for potential application. The study demonstrated that the proposed scheme is suitable for the two selected areas.

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Title: The potential of groundwater desalination using forward osmosis for irrigation in Egypt
Authors: Peter Nasr
Hani Sewilam
Publication date: 01-10-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1618-954X
Electronic ISSN: 1618-9558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-015-0902-4

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