J.O. Jaber

Evaluation of non-conventional water resources supply in Jordan

The severity of the water problem in Jordan was realized in the beginning of the 1980s. Many strategies and measures were proposed to alleviate and overcome this serious problem. These mainly include supply augmentation measures through constructing of various hydraulic structures and groundwater exploitation. In addressing supply management, it was concluded that no single supply could remedy the nations water shortage. Rather many integrated actions are needed to ensure water availability, suitability, and sustainability. Among those options is the development of new water resources such as brackish water. It was proposed that desalinated brackish water could increase water supply in different regions of the country. This paper describes the development of a decision-support system for the evaluation and selection of potential non-conventional water resources supply; these include desalination of brackish and seawater, treated waste water, importation of water across boundaries and water harvesting. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), it was concluded that water desalination was ranked the highest, i.e., the most promising resource, followed by water harvesting.

Brackish groundwater treatment by reverse osmosis in Jordan

Jordan is characterised by an arid to semi-arid climate and its population is increasing at an annual rate of 3.6%. With such a high population growth rate and fast social-economical development, water demand and wastewater production are steeply increasing, and the gap between water supply and demand is getting wider. Furthermore, the constraints for water resources development are also rising due to high investment costs and water quality degradation due to over-exploitation of aquifers. Desalination of Red Sea water by reverse osmosis (RO) and/or brackish groundwater desalination by nanofiltration or RO might be technically and economically viable to cope with water scarcity and overcome the water deficit in Jordan. The technical-economical feasibility of brackish groundwater treatment by RO for potable water production was investigated in this work. Brackish groundwater samples were collected from the Zarqa basin, Jordan, and characterised in terms of pH, conductivity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and volatile solids. The water samples were pre-treated through a microfiltration cartridge (5 μm pore diameter) in order to eliminate the suspended matter. A pilot plant equipped with a FilmTec RO membrane (SW30-2521) was operated at 20–30 bar, 40°C, natural pH and up to a water recovery ratio of 77.5%. The results showed that RO is actually efficient since it highly reduced the content of organic and inorganic matters present in raw waters (rejections >98.5%) at a relatively affordable price (0.26 €/m3). This study contributes to the development of efficient technologies to produce affordable potable water in Mediterranean countries where the threat of water shortages is a severe problem.

Future energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Jordanian industries

Most, i.e. 85%, of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Jordan emanate as a result of fossil fuel combustion. The industrial sector consumed 23.3% of the total national fuel consumption for heat and electric-power generation in 1999. The CO2 emissions from energy use in manufacturing processes represent 12.1% of the total national CO2 emissions. Carbon dioxide is also released as a result of the calcining of carbonates during the manufacture of cement and iron. Electricity, which is the most expensive form of energy, in 1999 represented 45% of total fuel used for heat and power nationally. Heavy fuel oil and diesel oil represented 46% and 7%, respectively, of all energy used by industry. Scenarios for future energy-demands and the emissions of gaseous pollutants, including GHGs, have been predicted for the industrial sector. For these, the development of a baseline scenario relied on historical data concerning consumption, major industries outputs, as well as upon pertinent published governmental policies and plans. Possible mitigation options that could lead to a reduction in GHG emissions are assessed, with the aim of achieving a 10% reduction by 2010, compared with the baseline scenario. Many viable CO2 emission mitigation measures have been identified for the industrial sector, and some of these can be considered as attractive opportunities due to the low financial investments required and short pay back periods. These mitigation options have been selected on the basis of low GHG emission rates and expert judgement as to their viability for wide-scale implementation and economic benefits. The predictions show that the use of more efficient lighting and motors, advanced energy systems and more effective boilers and furnaces will result in a significant reduction in the rates of GHG emissions at an initial cost of between 30 and 90 US

Potential of industrial wastewater reuse

t-1 of CO2 release avoided. However, most of these measures have a negative cost per ton of CO2 reduced, indicating short pay-back periods for the capital investments needed.

Desalination of brackish water by nanofiltration and reverse osmosis

Abstract The potential of industrial wastewater reuse in Jordan is discussed. Industrial water requirements, wastewater production, types of pollutants in industrial wastewater and the technologies for wastewater treatment have been evaluated. A total of thirty industries have been reviewed. The total effluent from the thirty industries reviewed estimated at approximately 10,200 m3/d. Of this amount, approximately 4,400 m3/d are discharged to public sewerage system, which is about 3% of the total flow. The amounts of metals to be controlled are: 6800 kg/y, 3000 kg/y, 45 kg/y, 65 kg/y, 20 kg/y, 2 kg/y, 25 kg/y, 60 t/y and 8 t/y of Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Sn, Fe and Al, respectively. Nineteen industries, which discharge mainly organic polluted process wastewater, are food industries. Approximately 5.3 t of BOD/d is discharged from these industries. Of these, approximately 2.2 t BOD/d are discharged to the public sewerage system and about 3.1 t BOD are used for irrigation. It has been shown that most of the selected industries require some treatment of their wastewater. It is recommended to carry out further studies to establish the type of wastewater pretreatment strategies and their estimated capital cost. There is a need for the introduction of a cleaner technology in the selected industries. This could include substitution of raw and auxiliary materials, water and energy saving, recirculation of water, recovery of chemicals, improved process control, waste minimization, and good housekeeping.

A photovoltaic-powered system for water desalination

Abstract Jordan is characterised by an arid climate and its population is increasing at an annual rate of about 3.6%. The annual consumption of fresh water per capita is less than 200 m3 compared to the international average of 7500 m3. Jordans water resources comprise surface water (41%), ground water (54%) and treated wastewater (5%). With such a high population growth rate and fast socio-economic development, water demand and wastewater production is steeply increasing and the gap between water supply and demand is getting wider. On the other hand, the constraints for water resources development are also increasing due to high investment costs and water quality degradation caused by over exploitation of aquifers. Jordan is likely to face a potable water crisis by 2010, by depleting the fresh water sources. Desalination of water from the Red Sea by reverse osmosis (R0) and/or desalination of brackish water from some basins by nanofiltration (NF) or RO might be technically and economically viable to cope with water scarcity and overcome water deficit in Jordan. In this work, treatment of brackish water by RO and NF into potable water is investigated. Brackish water samples were collected from Zarqa basin, Jordan, and characterised in terms of pH, conductivity, total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS) and total organic carbon (TOC). The brackish water samples were pre-treated through microfiltration (MF) cartridges in order to get rid of the suspended matter. A pilot plant equipped with composite RO and NF membranes was operated at 20 bar, ambient temperature, natural pH and up to water recovery rates of 95%. The results show that both processes are efficient, as they highly reduce the organic and inorganic contents present in the raw waters. The technical and economical feasibilities of NF and RO processes for the production of potable water from brackish water were compared. This study contributes for the development of efficient technologies for the production of affordable potable water in Mediterranean countries where the threat of water shortages is a serious problem, especially in summer.

Future electricity-demands and greenhouse-gas emissions in Jordan

Abstract The potential of the development of water desalination using a photovoltaic-powered system in Jordan is discussed. A reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system driven by photovoltaic power is proposed. A simulation model for the prediction of the PV specific power delivered for a given value of the global insolation is adopted. Based on available average solar radiation data and salinity of the feed water, the amount of water that can be produced at different sites is calculated. It was found that Shoubak, Aqaba, Azraq and Amman are the most favorable sites for photovoltaic RO desalination systems. With a TDS of 7000 mg/L, the annual amount of water production for these sites was 329, 320, 304 and 301 m 3 , respectively; 65% of the treated water is produced in the months of April through September, the driest months in the country, where water is needed the most.

Energy analysis of Jordan's commercial sector

Using the energy-and-power evaluation program (ENPEP), which is a simulation-model, detailed predictions for the primary and final energy consumptions, electricity demands and generation-capability expansion plans, during the period 2000-2015, in Jordan, have been computed. Also, based on the Governments published policies and plans, greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions emanating from the electricity sector and the associated proposed mitigation measures are discussed briefly. The future use of natural gas as a fuel, as a substitute for heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel, is recommended. Renewable energy technologies should be promoted, especially in proven applications, such as water heating and pumping, where their economics are attractive. Other actions, such as reducing losses in the generation system as well as the transmission and distribution networks will contribute positively to CO2-emissions mitigation in Jordan.

Medium-range planning economics of future electrical-power generation options

Abstract This article presents some insight into energy consumption in the commercial and public service sector (CAPSS) in Jordan. In this sector, space- and water-heating is dependent particularly upon the combustion of fossil fuels. Which thereby contribute significantly to air pollution and the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The results of a recent survey were used to evaluate the energy demand of the commercial and public service buildings. Diesel fuel, LPG and kerosene are mainly used for space heating, with diesel being the most popular fuel followed by LPG. Unvented combustion appliances, i.e. portable kerosene and LPG heaters, are still employed in this sector in order to provide space heating in unclassified hotels, some clinics and health centres as well as retail shops. These stoves, usually, produce high levels of combustion by-products that often exceed acceptable limits especially in a closed space. Consequently, the indoor air quality is degraded and may cause unnecessary exposure to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Electricity consumption is relatively high due to the excessive lighting and heavy use of air-conditioning and ventilation systems during the dry and hot summer. It is estimated that about 15% of the annual consumption in CAPSS can be reduced annually with little investment. Consequently the corresponding annual CO 2 emissions reduction is approximately 1%, i.e. 160×10 3 xa0tons, of the present total greenhouse gas emissions in Jordan.

Greenhouse gas emissions and barriers to implementation in the Jordanian energy sector

In their continuous planning for load growth, electricity utilities search for the most economic generation schemes. But this will be subject to a number of constraints, such as the type of fuel available and compliance with national environmental standards. In this paper, medium-range planning economics of using alternative fuels options for electrical-power generation systems in Jordan is discussed. Imported natural gas, heavy fuel oil, coal and local oil shale are compared. A net-present-value model was used to compare electricity generation cost for different types of thermal power plants. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the influence of the most important variables, such as unit capital and fuel prices, discount and inflation rates. It was found that imported natural gas, as a future primary fuel, to supply new combined cycle and/or upgraded existing gas turbine stations, in Jordan, represents the best option during the study period.