Sea Water Conversion Research Articles

760. Flash evaporator plants for sea-water conversion: Anon., Engineer, 213, 29 June 1962, 1151–1154

760. Flash evaporator plants for sea-water conversion: Anon., Engineer, 213, 29 June 1962, 1151–1154

How to build a solar still : Edson, Lee, Horace McCracken and James Weldy, Sea Water Conversion Program Institute of Engineerings Res., Univ. of Calif., Berkeley, Calif. Series 75, Issue 13, April 1959, 7 p. Illus.

Directions for the construction of an inexpensive solar still for utilizing the sun's energy to convert salt water to fresh are presented. Information is given on the materials needed, directions for the use of the still, and expected production rates. This solar still can be built from materials available in most lumber yards, metal-supply houses, and plastic-supply stores. Illustrations are provided for use in the construction of the still.

Desalinization and Future Water Supply in the United States

Because of the United States' explosive population rise and great expansion of industry and irrigation with their great thirst for water, it was prudent for the government to search for new sources of freshwater and to choose conversion, or desalinization, for study because of its tremendous potential. The article discusses the technical challenges of sea water conversion, brackish water conversion, and presents several alternative approaches to expanding water supplies besides conversion that include: reduction of evaporation from impoundments; weather modification; more efficient use of water in agriculture, public supply, and industry; reuse of water; water pollution control; more storage, both above and below ground surface; and, watershed management.

Federal Research and Development Program for Saline‐Water Conversion

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.

Sea water conversion program: a technical and economic investigation of certain schemes for producing potable fresh water from sea water. Berkeley progress report for the year ending June 30, 1959

Sea water conversion program: a technical and economic investigation of certain schemes for producing potable fresh water from sea water. Berkeley progress report for the year ending June 30, 1959

Design of a sea thermal energy power plant

Abstract A unique 8000-kw gross power and sea water conversion plant is described which uses the temperature difference of the ocean to produce usable energy and fresh water. This plant has been designed by the research and development department, Clearing Division of U.S. Industries, Inc., for installation along coastlines in a semitropical area. Estimated cost for the sea thermal energy plant is 2.5 to 3 million dollars, including building and erection costs. This is equal to $310 to $375 per kw, amounts which are competitive with fossil-fuel burning plants in remote areas.

Limitations of the Theory of the Firm for Water Resource Analysis

present use is only about five percent of annual precipitation,' there is little question of absolute shortage. However, given the limited number of natural storage facilities, the economics of water resource development will become increasingly significant in this period. Prices for alternative uses--domestic, agricultural, and industrial-will come under closer scrutiny. The comparative costs of alternative sources of supply and methods of conservation, such as conversion of sea water, sewage reclamation, and control of evaporation, transpiration, and natural run-off, will be reexamined with greater care.

Sea water conversion: A key to water conservation?

Sea water conversion: A key to water conservation?

“Packaged” water plant

Desalination of seawater by reverse osmosis requires a membrane which approaches theoretical semipermeability and is sufficiently thin to provide transport of water at practical operating pressures and recovery rates. This objective has been achieved by the development of a family of thin-film composite membranes based on nitrogen-containing polymers supported on a fabric-reinforced porous supporting membrane. The membranes, packaged in the spiral-wound configuration, exhibit high water permeability, low salt permeability, thermal stability, resistance to micro-organisms, wet-dry, and chemical stability.Membranes of this type are currently employed for the conversion of seawater to potable water in the world's first large reverse osmosis plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, trailer-mounted U.S. Army military units, off-shore drilling platforms, marine applications, and hand-powered emergency units. Reverse osmosis systems, employing thin-film composite membrane elements, are also in operation for the conversion of brackish to potable water and a variety of water-reuse applications for textile finishing, boiler water for electrical utilities, soft drink manufacturing, agricultural water, and reclamation of municipal waste water.