Page 1 of 1
Portable desalination unit
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:20 pm
by sTeamTraen
This looks interesting. But I wonder how efficient it is.
The claim is that water can be produced for 20Wh/l, which is 72kJ/l. This page states that the theoretical energy input needed is 3kJ/l, and that "present day desalination plants use 5 to 26 times as much as this theoretical minimum depending on the type of process used". So this suitcase-sized unit seems to work at the lower end of the current efficiency of bigger plants.
But I suppose it's useful for one or two individuals, if you have a solar panel and no other access to water.
Re: Portable desalination unit
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:52 pm
by Gfamily
sTeamTraen wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 2:20 pm
This looks interesting. But I wonder how efficient it is.
The claim is that water can be produced for 20Wh/l, which is 72kJ/l. This page states that the theoretical energy input needed is 3kJ/l, and that "present day desalination plants use 5 to 26 times as much as this theoretical minimum depending on the type of process used". So this suitcase-sized unit seems to work at the lower end of the current efficiency of bigger plants.
But I suppose it's useful for one or two individuals, if you have a solar panel and no other access to water.
Desalination at any major scale is potentially problematic, as the non drinkable discharge is more concentrated brine that can be harmful to the local environment, particularly if its higher density means that it smothers the local seabed, which it is likely to do if simply returned to the sea by a pipe.
But yes, I could see it has potential, for example, if lifeboats were fitted with a solar panel and one of those
Re: Portable desalination unit
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2022 3:06 pm
by Boustrophedon
There have been portable desalination units for decades running on reverse osmosis. Is this really better? I seems it's complicated and requires electric power.
If you have plenty of sunshine there are solar stills that work well including ad hoc hole on the ground and plastic sheet types.
Re: Portable desalination unit
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2022 3:22 pm
by Grumble
Boustrophedon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 3:06 pm
There have been portable desalination units for decades running on reverse osmosis. Is this really better? I seems it's complicated and requires electric power.
If you have plenty of sunshine there are solar stills that work well including ad hoc hole on the ground and plastic sheet types.
There’s a project somewhere on the Arabian peninsula running seawater through greenhouses so that evaporation produces water for the plants.
Re: Portable desalination unit
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2022 5:04 pm
by Bird on a Fire
It would be pretty useful for remote fieldwork as well, instead of having to fit 3 months of bottled water in a canoe or whatever. Probably medical facilities and other stuff too
Re: Portable desalination unit
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2022 7:00 am
by bob sterman
I guess if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with little to drink - but you have one of these, then . . . urine luck!
(I'll get my coat)