Desalination is a process by which salt and other contaminants are removed from brackish water or seawater, which makes it suitable for human consumption or other uses. Desalination is a method that allows the production of freshwater from saltwater sources, which increases the supply of water in areas where there is a shortage or inadequate access to freshwater resources.
This method is applied in various applications such as industrial, municipal, or commercial. The main desalination process involves the treatment of feed water to produce two separate streams: one consisting of treated drinking water and the other is the brine solution or concentrate.
Desalination uses feed water or salt water from various sources, such as brackish water, seawater, wells, surface water (streams and rivers), industrial feed & process water, and wastewater. Thermal and membrane technologies are the two main methods for desalination. The primary methods used in these technologies include reverse osmosis (RO), multistage flash (MSF), multiple effect distillation (MED), electrodialysis, vapor compression, and nanofiltration. Desalination methods are generally used to create potable water in areas where brackish water or seawater is the primary water source. Several technologies have been developed for desalination, and further strategies are being researched and developed.
According to a recent report released by Allied Market Research, the global water desalination equipment industry is anticipated to showcase an impressive CAGR throughout the forecast period.
Growing water shortage and depletion of freshwater sources drive industry growth–
Most of the earth’s surface is covered by water, but only a small amount (3%) of fresh water is available for drinking and agriculture. Water conservation is crucial because many people (785 million) lack access to clean drinking water, while over 2 billion people use contaminated water resources. According to a report by the United Nations, water consumption is growing by 1% per year, which is expected to continue until 2050 due to population growth and changing water consumption patterns. By 2030, almost half of the world’s population is predicted to experience water shortages.
On the other hand, most of the freshwater is frozen, and only 1% of it is readily available for direct use. The world’s growing population and the depletion of freshwater are increasing the demand for desalination technologies and equipment that convert saltwater into freshwater.
Various water desalination equipment applications-
- Reverse osmosis (RO) technology-
Reverse osmosis (RO) technology is applied in water desalination to remove salts and impurities from seawater. During this process, water molecules pass through a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure, allowing only pure water to pass throughout while stopping salts and contaminants. As a result, fresh and potable water is produced from seawater, which contributes to the fight against water shortage issues in barren areas and provides a sustainable solution for the supply of clean water.
- Multi-stage flash (MSF) distillation-
Multi-stage flash (MSF) distillation is another approach for desalinating seawater to produce fresh water. This method starts by preheating the seawater and then flashing it into vapor in multiple stages with decreasing pressure. The vapor was then condensed to obtain fresh water. While MSF produces high-purity water efficiently, it requires more energy than alternative methods such as reverse osmosis. However, it continues to be used in locations where waste heat is available.
- Multi-effect distillation (MED)-
Multi-effect distillation (MED) is another desalination technique that involves several stages of evaporation using heat. To maximize heat recovery and energy efficiency, each stage operates at lower pressure. The seawater is evaporated by steam or another form of heat, and the vapor is heated in each subsequent stage. The condensed vapor produces fresh water, which is a sustainable option for desalination in dry regions, despite the costs and environmental impact of brine disposal.
Key developments by frontrunners-
Revolutionizing off-grid water solutions with solar-powered desalination technology-
Boreal Light, based in Berlin, specializes in renewable energy solutions for water treatment plants and has invented a solar water desalination machine for off-grid applications.
Winture Planet Cube machines, invented by Boreal Light, are of different sizes, ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 liters per hour, suitable for different water desalination needs. The amount of solar energy required for these machines depends on the capacity, water salinity, and borehole depth. In order not to use expensive batteries, Boreal Light prefers larger solar arrays. For example, 2,000 liters per hour requires an 11 kW solar power array. Excess energy is used for various purposes, such as irrigation, fish farming, sanitation and even charging electric cargo bikes and school battery banks.
This technology utilizes 460 W monocrystalline solar panels and incorporates a low-pressure reverse osmosis membrane with a lifespan of three to five years, lasting 25 years. The production cost of direct seawater is €0.50 per m3, which decreases to €0.28 per m3 for brackish water. The cost of machines ranges from EUR 20,000 to EUR 1 million for consumers, such as non-governmental organizations, businesses, farms, and hospitals.
The Winture Planet Cube is equipped with Internet connectivity and enables remote monitoring and control from Berlin through a SIM card. Boreal Light emphasizes the simplicity of operation, claiming that 80% of machine maintenance is carried out by a regular plumber using basic tools. In Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, the company has projects in 14 countries.
COVID-19 impact on the water desalination equipment sector-
In 2020, various production companies and construction sites remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the demand for water desalination equipment, which negatively impacted the global water desalination equipment industry. However, as the world starts returning to normal conditions in early 2021, there is a growing demand for water desalination technology. Governments across the globe are investing in water treatment solutions to deal with water shortage issues. For instance, in India, government programs such as the Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Transformation (AMRUT) are focusing on establishing infrastructure for sufficient water supply and sewage systems, which is expected to boost the global water desalination equipment industry growth in the coming years.
Author: Harshada Dive
Harshada Dive is a computer engineer by qualification. She has worked as a customer service associate for several years. As an Associate Content Writer, she loves to experiment with trending topics and develop her unique writing skills. When Harshada’s not writing, she likes gardening and listening to motivational podcasts.
