Water Desalination Process

Saltwater or saline water is not a drinkable product, but in areas where fresh, potable water does not exist, it can provide a solution for water scarcity. Desalination or desalinization is the process of removing the salt from water to make it usable for drinking or irrigation. Basically distillation, It is a simple process, but not cheap on a large scale. Regardless of cost in areas of the world where there are no alternatives, it provides a much-needed resource.

Things You'll Need

• Distillation chamber
• Condensing dome
• Heat source
• Collection Tube

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Instructions

• 1

  Collect the salt water to be desalinized in a boil-proof container. There are special distilling units available for small use. A large metal pot can be used for demonstration purposes or a quick distillation in an emergency. In large-scale operations, the saltwater is pumped into the tank or chamber through a large pipe from the water source where it is collected.

• 2

  Place the pot over the heat source. Put the collection dome in place. When the water in the container is heated, the steam will rise and condense on the dome. The steam is clean water vapor that does not carry the salt or contaminants. In home distillers or desalination units, the heat source is generated within the unit itself. In large-scale operations, the water is heated in the chamber then the vapor is collected in special chambers and tubes at the top of the tank.

• 3

  Collect the condensation from the dome as it runs down from the top. In a home desalination unit or water distiller, these units are enclosed and the collected clean, salt-free water will come from a spout or tube. In large-scale desalination, the water is collected in a chamber where the now-clean water is cooled before being piped to its destination.