How desalination of seawater is solving water problems across the world

Two-third of the earth’s surface is covered in water. But online 2.5% of the available water is fit for human use. Out of which only 0.3% is available to humans. This has led to water crisis in the world. Various part of the world is facing this crisis including the industries.

Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are using the desalination plants to convert seawater into potable water. This method has somehow helped these countries deal with water crisis. In USA’s Florida and California desalination plants are used to convert seawater or brackish water into potable water. And, now this trend is on the rise.

Given the current situation in the world, efficient desalination of seawater might be the solution it needs.

What is Desalination?

Desalination is a process of converting saline water into potable water by separating the salt molecules from water molecules. The same method can be used to convert brackish water into freshwater. This method has helped provide water solution to countries where freshwater is scarce.

Middle East accounts for almost 70% of seawater with Saudi Araba being the largest consumer. Desalination of seawater not only helps community but it also provides industries with good supply of water.

Industries located close to seawater can use this technology to solve the water issues. Companies that rely on water for their production too can use efficient desalination of seawater plants.

How Does Desalination Work?

Desalination is another word for water filtration. Unlike other type of water, desalination includes removal of salt molecules. Saline water is unfit for drinking. By removing the salinity of water, it can be converted into potable water.

There are various types of desalination methods. Out of which, Reverse Osmosis is the widely used method of desalination. It is a method that is used for general filtration needs. They are used in homes and offices. It is a very effective and powerful water filtration method.

Efficient desalination of seawater can convert all type of natural seawater source including:

• Shallow Surface seawater
• Beach well seawater
• Deep seawater
• Brackish river water

Types of Desalination Processes

There are many types of desalination processes that can be used to make sweater usable. The method can differ from one industry to another. Industries can choose methods that meet their requirements. A water treatment company like Keiken Engineering can provide customized solution.

Here are some of the most popular methods of desalination:

REVERSE OSMOSIS

Reverse Osmosis is one of the most popular methods. It is an advanced desalination process and is used in more that 60% of facilities worldwide. The method is simple: the seawater or saline water is made to pass through a semi-permeable membrane at a high pressure. This results in passing of water molecules through the membrane while salt molecules are left behind. This process leaves behind a large amount of brine or salt particles. The brine is then release back into the seawater. But care is taken to ensure that it doesn’t increase the salinity of seawater more that it needs to be.

DISTILLATION

It involves evaporating the seawater or brackish water by heating and then condensing to obtain potable water. Heating separates the water molecules from the salt particles. The condensed water is then used to obtain freshwater. It involves multiple stages where and, in each stage, the temperature and pressure decreases.

FREEZING

Freezing includes pulverizing seawater or brackish water in a refrigerator chamber. The low pressure maintained during the process helps in freezing the water and formation of ice crystal on top of brine. Ice is separated from brine and the converted into freshwater. It may sound easy but it is a complex process and requires a lot of time and energy.

ELECTRODIALYSIS

Electrodialysis offers efficient desalination of seawater and involve passing of electric current in an ion solution. During the process, the positive ions travel towards the negative electrode while the negative ions migrates towards the positive electrode. A semi-permeable membrane present in between the electrodes only allows Na+ or Cl- to pass though. The remaining water is the desalinated water. It is then treated to make it potable or freshwater.

FLASH EVAPORATION

In this process, seawater or any saline water is dropped into a chamber in drops. This happens in a below saturation pressure. The water drops convert into vapor and it is then condensed to form freshwater.

The Bottom Line

Efficient desalination of seawater offers a reliable solution to industries and community. It can help tackle the problem of global water crisis by converting seawater into freshwater. Many countries are already using it and it has gained popularity over the years.

Keiken Engineering offers water treatment solution to all types of industries. We specialize in providing customized solution with the help of our expertise and experience. Using advanced methods like Reverse Osmosis, we provide low-cost solution to our clients.

For more details, you can check out our water treatment solution page. For more information, you can us at +34936811650 or +34910577254