A desalination revolution that saves water and energy (could be major breakthrough)
Desalination plants have been controversial, mostly because of their high energy demand and the waste water they produce. But a new desalination technology uses almost no electricity and has the potential to save huge amounts of water.
<snip>
The membrane distillation technology uses waste heat to evaporate waste water through a fine membrane. The evaporated water condenses on the other side of the membrane as treated water – at above tap water standard – for re-use around the plant.
The trial – conducted at Ecogen Energy’s intermittent operating gas fired Newport Power Station – showed the system used 50% less electricity to desalinate water than traditional techniques. An updated design was then shown to use 95% less electricity.
<snip>
http://theconversation.edu.au/a-desalination-revolution-that-saves-water-and-energy-5970
The advantages of DM:
<snip>
1- The operating temperature of the MD process is in the range of 60 - 85 °C. This is a temperature level where solar thermal collectors perform well.
2- Costly chemical pre-treatment of the water supply is in most cases not necessary.
3- Operation of the MD- module with intermittent energy supply is possible even without heat storage.
4- Robust and easy to use technology
<snip>
http://cm-modellbau.com/index.php?id=255
Water resources are already at the center of many disputes and even wars. The use of desalination
plants has been prohibitive because of the energy needed to run them. The waste products such as excessive heat and salt make them expensive to operate.
This could be a huge breakthrough!
= new reply since forum marked as read
