Solar desalination plant site suitability through composing decision-making systems and fuzzy logic in Iran (using the desert areas approach)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran ,Tehran, Iran

2 Faculty of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Freshwater resources represent around 3% of all water on Earth, and less than 1% of that is available. Considering
current conditions, as well as future predictions of need, freshwater resources cannot meet human needs. Thus,
sweetening of the brackish water can be performed to provide freshwater for human use. Solar energy, because of
Iran's climatic conditions, may be used for sweetening the brackish water. The objective of this study was to survey
the lands using groundwater resources for the installation of solar desalinations. According to the goal, criteria and
indicators were identified by the analyses of previous studies’ data, Delphi method and the internal structure of
measurements and indicators determined using the DEMATEL technique. Then, indicators were weighted using the
analytic network process (ANP) method, and indicators’ suitable membership functions were defined using fuzzy
logic. Indicators have been combined by the means of minimum function. Eventually, the areas were classified into
four classes. The results showed that among 250 scope studies, 20 scopes have been put in class one, and these are
located in five provinces. The results also indicated that among the provinces of Iran, Yazd is located in an area with
the highest percentage of class one, and is ranked first. Comparisons of the obtained results with the climatic
conditions of Iran confirmed the results.
 

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