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Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water (news.mit.edu)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The configuration of the device allows water to circulate in swirling eddies, in a manner similar to the much larger “thermohaline” circulation of the ocean. This circulation, combined with the sun’s heat, drives water to evaporate, leaving salt behind. The resulting water vapor can then be condensed and collected as pure, drinkable water. In the meantime, the leftover salt continues to circulate through and out of the device, rather than accumulating and clogging the system.

The new system has a higher water-production rate and a higher salt-rejection rate than all other passive solar desalination concepts currently being tested.

The researchers estimate that if the system is scaled up to the size of a small suitcase, it could produce about 4 to 6 liters of drinking water per hour and last several years before requiring replacement parts. At this scale and performance, the system could produce drinking water at a rate and price that is cheaper than tap water.

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (12 children)

Came here to say this, but i see you have it covered. I get sooooo tired of the "coulds" ,"woulds" and "shoulds" we see in article titles like this. What is more likely to happen..... a promising new technology that's cheap to produce, maintain, and reduces prices for the delivery of the worlds most needed resource is universally embraced by ALL....or Companies like Nestle, who's massive water profiteering is threatened by this innovation, either buys out all the patents and sweeps it under the rug , and/or launches a campaign of legal litigation against it's developers so that it never gets funded nor ever gets to the practical production stage.

I know what kind of world we're living in... and it's not one that favors the hope and needs of the many over the greed of the few.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Jeeze you guys are so cynical 😂It’s true that many innovations from academic research fail to be commercialized or scaled. But it’s also true that many many successful technological innovations come out of academic research and impact the lives of millions.

The biggest barrier here will most likely be whether it can scale, not patent litigation.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

You underestimate the greed of the .01 % ...my cynicism comes from seeing them getting their way the great majority of the time because money.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

No I do not underestimate profit incentives. I just realize that these things are not always so nefarious and there’s plenty of money for people to make by bringing things to market.

Regardless - cost effective, portable desal devices will be dramatically more profitable than sitting on a patent for 20 years (if even enforced!). Most people buying imported bottled water due so because they are lazy not because they are without access to potable water.

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