To fully understand the economic viability and implementation strategy of the emerging algae-based desalination technology, this study investigates the economic aspects of algae-based desalination system by comparing the life-cycle costs of three different scenarios: (1) a multi-stage microalgae based desalination system; (2) a hybrid desalination system based on the combination of microalgae and low pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) system; and (3) a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination system. It is identified that the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) of scenario 1 are significantly higher than those of scenarios 2 and 3, when algal biomass reuse is not taken into consideration. If the revenues obtained from the algal biomass reuse are taken into account, the OPEX of scenario 1 will decrease significantly, and scenarios 2 and 3 will have the highest and lowest OPEX, respectively. However, due to the high CAPEX of scenario 1, the total expenditure (TOTEX) of scenario 1 is still 27% and 33% higher than those of scenarios 2 and 3, respectively. A sensitivity study is undertaken to understand the effects of six key parameters on water total cost for different scenarios. It is suggested that the electricity unit price plays the most important role in determining the water total cost for different scenarios. An uncertainty analysis is also conducted to investigate the effects and limitations of the key assumptions made in this study. It is suggested that the assumption of total dissolved solids (TDS) removal efficiency of microalgae results in a high uncertainty of life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA). Additionally, it is estimated that 1.58 megaton and 0.30 megaton CO₂ can be captured by the algae-based desalination process for scenarios 1 and 2, respectively, over 20 years service period, which could result in approximately AU $18 million and AU $3 million indirect financial benefits for scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. When algal biomass reuse, CO₂ bio-fixation and land availability are all taken into account, scenario 2 with hybrid desalination system is considered as the most economical and environmentally friendly option.

为了充分了解新兴的基于藻类的海水淡化技术的经济可行性和实施策略，本研究通过比较三种不同方案的生命周期成本来研究基于藻类的海水淡化系统的经济方面：（1）多级微藻类基础的海水淡化系统；（2）基于微藻和低压反渗透（LPRO）系统相结合的混合海水淡化系统；（3）海水反渗透淡化系统。可以确定的是，在不考虑藻类生物质再利用的情况下，方案1的资本支出（CAPEX）和运营支出（OPEX）明显高于方案2和3。如果考虑到从藻类生物质再利用获得的收入，则方案1的运营支出将显着下降，方案2和方案3的OPEX分别最高和最低。但是，由于方案1的高CAPEX，方案1的总支出（TOTEX）仍分别比方案2和3高27％和33％。进行了敏感性研究，以了解六个关键参数对不同情况下水总成本的影响。建议在确定不同方案的水总成本中，电价起着最重要的作用。还进行了不确定性分析，以调查此研究中的主要假设的影响和局限性。建议微藻的总溶解固体（TDS）去除效率的假设导致生命周期成本分析（LCCA）的高度不确定性。此外，估计为1.58兆吨和0。在使用20年后，方案2和₃可以分别通过基于藻类的海水淡化过程捕获，这可能分别为方案1和2带来约1,800万澳元和300万澳元的间接财务收益。当将藻类生物质的再利用，CO _2的生物固定性和土地可利用性都考虑在内时，具有混合淡化系统的方案2被认为是最经济，最环保的选择。