Floating solar desalination plant debuts in Abu Dhabi (with video)

Fresh water is a precious commodity. Although two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, Only 2.5% drinkable Or can be used for irrigation purposes. This is a problem in arid countries like Abu Dhabi, but is increasingly an issue in places like the American Southwest. desalination may be the answer.

Of course, desalination is also possible, but it takes a lot of energy. ManhattanAn Abu Dhabi-based tech company said it may have a partial solution. It invented a floating system that produces fresh water from the ocean without the need for electricity. The device uses solar energy to capture water that evaporates on the ocean’s surface, condenses it and collects it as fresh water. The ingenious system, which resembles a floating greenhouse, has the potential to transform the way food and clean water are produced in the Arabian Peninsula and other coastal regions of the world, according to reports. Design Boom.

When sunlight hits the ocean surface, it causes some of the water to evaporate. When the sun heats the floating structure, the water beneath it evaporates. Evaporation is a method of desalination because all the impurities that make seawater salty are left behind. The angle of the collection tank prevents water droplets from evaporating back into the sea. When the temperature is lowered, the water is distilled and flows into the reservoir as fresh water.

While this solar desalination process is already in use in many parts of the world, the Abu Dhabi-based company wants to implement the solution on a larger scale. The startup plans to use its technology on floating farms, using its invention to provide fresh water for crop irrigation without the need for water transport and associated emissions.

Also, unlike existing systems, the process does not produce brine, a condensation of salts and chemicals that are harmful to marine flora and fauna. Finally, according to the company, the present invention is less expensive than existing systems because it does not require heating or water compression.

A fuller explanation of how Menhat floats desalination The system at work is shown in the somewhat peculiar video below. The company has not released any details about the cost or technical capabilities of its systems. The idea is fun, but we know the leap from concept to production can be daunting. When we know more, you will know more.

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