Desalination Energy Calculator

Calculate the energy required and cost to desalinate seawater using reverse osmosis or thermal methods.

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gallons
kWh
USD/kWh

Daily Energy Required

1,200 kWh

Daily Energy Cost120 USD
Annual Energy Cost43,800 USD
Cost per 1000 Gallons1.20 USD

Daily Energy Required vs Electricity Rate

View formula & how it works →

How to Calculate Desalination Energy

Desalination removes salt from seawater to produce fresh water, requiring significant energy.

Formula

Daily Energy = Volume (gal) * Energy Rate / 1,000

Energy Requirements (kWh per 1,000 gallons)

  • Reverse osmosis (RO): 10-15 kWh
  • Multi-stage flash: 20-30 kWh
  • Multi-effect distillation: 15-25 kWh
  • Forward osmosis: 8-12 kWh (emerging)

    • Example Calculation

    A small RO plant producing 100,000 gal/day at 12 kWh/1000 gal with $0.10/kWh electricity.

    1. 01Daily energy: 100,000 * 12 / 1,000 = 1,200 kWh
    2. 02Daily cost: 1,200 * $0.10 = $120
    3. 03Annual cost: 1,200 * 365 * $0.10 = $43,800
    4. 04Cost per 1,000 gal: 12 * $0.10 = $1.20

    Frequently Asked Questions

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