Federal Research and Development Program for Saline‐Water Conversion

Abstract

This paper discusses the first Saline Water Act passed by Congress in July 1952, and authorized a saline water conversion research and development program administered by the Office of Saline Water, U.S. Department of the Interior. The article discusses five categories of saline water conversion processes, including: distillation; membrane; freezing; chemical; and others. In 1958, Congress passed the Saline Water Demonstration Plant Act that provides for the construction, on the west, east, and gulf coasts, of at least three seawater conversion plants, two of 1,000,000 gpd capacity each. Two demonstration plants for the conversion of brackish water, one of which is to be at least 250,000 gpd in capacity, have been authorized. One is to be located in the northern Great Plains region, and the other in the arid areas of the southwest. Five of the most advanced and potentially promising processes have been selected for demonstration, including: multiple‐effect long‐tube, vertical distillation (1,000,000 gpd); multistage flash distillation (1,000,000 gpd); electrodialysis (not further defined) (250,000 gpd); forced‐circulation vapor compression distillation (250,000 gpd); and, freezing (not further defined) (100,000 to 350,000 gpd). The article discusses criteria for site selection, the construction program, and water costs.