Simultaneous Design of Desalination Plants and Distribution Water Network

摘要: Abstract Northern Chile is characterized by significant mineral resources, particularly copper, nitrate, lithium, molybdenum, rhenium, among others. Moreover, these resources are located in the Atacama Desert, driest world. Water exhausted, but has an extensive coast from where to get water. Then, any new operation or expansion of a current must use seawater. The distance mining operations ranging few kilometers about 300 kilometers, even more significant, can be found 600 4,000 meters above sea level. cost transporting desalinated water greater than desalination. This paper presents methodology design system desalination plant and transport. objective determine location size plants distribution that minimizes capital operational costs. uses superstructure represents set alternatives on which optimal solution found. A mathematical model generated represent system. end corresponds MINLP problem solved two steps using commercial software. case study used demonstrate applicability developed.