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What is Solar Desalination?

Desalination, in general, is the process of removing minerals and salt particles from a target substance. Solar desalination is using the sun’s energy to power various techniques of desalination.

Some Proven Techniques:

  • Reverse Osmosis: Using high pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove salt
  • Flash Evaporation: Using large amounts of heat followed by a pressure drop into a vacuum environment to flash evaporate salt water, which can be condensed into freshwater
  • Ion Exchange: Using anodes and cathodes along with membranes to draw out ions
  • Solar Evaporation: Similar to a solar still, using thermal energy from the sun to evaporate the water over time to condensate naturally into freshwater.

Why Do We Need It?

Check out some of these videos:

Water crises come in many forms. It can come from poor infrastructure, poor management, contaminated sources, natural disaster, as well as climate change. Simply stated, water emergencies are common, and their solutions are not always rapid nor complete enough to address the concern. Further research can provide many more full-length documentaries on water crisis and shortages.

Here are some quick facts

  • Parts of America use up to 80% of their available freshwater resources. (That means a slight drought or increase in usage will cause a WATER SHORTAGE) (UNESCO).
  • California is perpetually in a state of drought (California)
  • Globally, 1.2 billion people live in areas with inadequate water supply. ( International Water Management Institute)
  • Unsafe drinking water is a leading cause of Cholera and other Diseases (WHO)
  • Water Infrastructure is easily damaged and destroyed in natural disasters
A majority of Earth’s freshwater is out of reach, tapping into the ocean presents a readily available solution.

Project Goals:

The team is looking to provide a custom standalone solution with the above goals and acceptable water quality

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Turning the Unthinkable, to the Drinkable, One Sun at a Time