Prospects of Utilization of Solar Energy For Thermal Desalination Dissertation

Prospects of Utilization of Solar Energy For Thermal Desalination Technologies in Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example The paper describes about the current scenario about water resources in Saudi Arabia and how existing demand supply gaps can be filled with the use of thermal desalination technology in the years to come. Introduction The world population including the population in Saudi Arabia is growing at a rapid pace. The established and known reserves of fossil fuel is depleting fast. It has been imperative on the part of scientist and engineers to think of alternate sources of energy to meet the increasing demand. With the rising population demand of water is increasing too. Saudi Arabia has no natural sources of water supply except the water stored in aquifers. For these reasons, the Saudi Arabia has undertaken several projects for the development of renewable sources of energy. This study explores the possibility of harnessing solar energy for the purpose of desalination of water in Saudi Arabia. Radiation Measurement in Saudi Arabia According to one research report, the average solar radiat ion in Saudi Arabia is noticed as 5591 Watt hour on unit square meter area. The data collected are from 41 stations in the period of 10 years. (Mohandas et al, 1999) The solar radiation measurement in Saudi Arabia is now available for 10 major towns namely Tabuk, Al-Ula, Unayxah, Shaqra, Dawdami, Yabrin, Turabah, Heifa, Kwash, and Najran. Though all the locations offer promising solar radiation but the area of Najran is found to be the best. The method used is called radial basis function neural networks. (Mohandas et al, 1999) Solar energy and duration of sunshine is not the same throughout the year. As per the Solar Radiation Atlas the radiation is found to be in the range of 4.1 and 6.7 kilowatt-hour /sq. meter / day. (Alnaser et al., 2004) An Overview of Desalination Process in Saudi Arabia The current market share of the Saudi Arabia in the production of desalinated water is about 30 percent when viewed with respect to the global capacity installed. In last 80 years the Saudi A rabia has spent almost $25 billion on building and operating desalination plants. The kingdom now has 30 desalination units and the country has more than quadrupled its food production. It can be said that Saudi Arabia has turned into a modern nation in the last 25 years. A more than 50 percent water need of a resident in any city of the kingdom is met through Desalinated technology. (Water Demand, 2010) Supply and Demand Scenario of Water in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is mostly desert area devoid of any lakes or rivers. Saudi has limited water resources. The groundwater, stored in several aquifers across the country, is the main source that satisfies more than 90% of its water demand. Available Water Resources in Saudi Arabia, 2010 Source of Water In Million Cubic Meters Surface water (Renewable) 5000 (2230 available for use) Groundwater resources 2,269,000 (84,000 renewable water in shallow aquifers) Groundwater recharge (Renewable) 3,958 (1,196 in shallow aquifers and 2,762 in dee p aquifers) Desalination 1050 Treated Wastewater 400 Source: http://www.miahona.com/upload/publications/2010_Walid_SWPF-2010_Jeddah.pdf (p 18) The government of Saudi Arabia has been making great efforts to secure the water supplies for all purposes; some of them include such as dams, distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities in most cities and towns of the kingdom along with large sea

Retail Industry in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Retail Industry in the UK - Essay Example In the year 2010, the industry was responsible for the creation of additional 12,750 full time jobs and the total number of jobs increased by 2.1% in comparison with the previous year. The total number of people employed by the industry in the year 2010 was 2.9 million which roughly accounts for the 11% of the total workforce in the UK. From this fact, it can be inferred that the retail industry holds a very prominent position in the economy of the UK. From economic activity to employment, the retail industry affects a number of factors in the economy of the UK. In 2010, there were 286,680 retail outlets in the UK and the number has grown in the year 2011. More than a third of the total consumer spending the region goes through shops. Retail industry generates around 5% of the Gross Domestic Product of the UK. Consumers are also taking interest in shopping over internet and the sales over internet account for around 7% of the total retail sales and the number is estimated to grow sig nificantly. FINDINGS Retail industry is one of the strongest industries in the UK. The industry has witnessed significant growth in the recent years. Every industry is influenced by certain economic and social factors and in case of retail industry the most important economic factor is inflation. With the rise in inflation, the prices of consumer products also rise. Thus the consumers refrain from buying and the overall retail sales go down. Other social factors that may influence the retail industry may be the prevailing trends in clothing and the weather conditions. Such are the indicators that help the retailers take steps proactively in order to save themselves from any significant impact. The following review of the retail industry in the UK would also focus on the impact of such economic and social factors in the last quarter of the year 2011.... With the rise in inflation, the prices of consumer products also rise. Thus the consumers refrain from buying and the overall retail sales go down. Other social factors that may influence the retail industry may be the prevailing trends in clothing and the weather conditions. Such are the indicators that help the retailers take steps proactively in order to save themselves from any significant impact. The following review of the retail industry in the UK would also focus on the impact of such economic and social factors in the last quarter of the year 2011. REVIEW OF RETAIL INDUSTRY FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF 2011 The start of the last quarter of 2011 was slow for the retail industry in the UK however the sales grew significantly towards the end of the quarter. There were a number of economic and other factors responsible for the trend of sales observed in the last quarter of 2011. One of the most important factors behind this trend of sales volume was Christmas which always impacts the retail industry positively. A boost in the internet sales was also witnessed in this quarter. Following is the month by month review of the retail industry in the UK for the last quarter of 2011. Retail Industry in October 2011 The overall retail sales volume increased by 0.6% in the month of October as compared to the previous month. This increase was higher than what was expected by the economists. The absence of any social factors to cause an increase in the sales volume led the economists to estimate a decline in the sales volume in comparison with the previous month but the sales volume increased. The benefit of this increase in sales was enjoyed mostly by the small retailers while the large stores had to lose their overall sales