{"id":118917,"date":"2023-10-10T14:54:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T18:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=118917"},"modified":"2023-10-10T14:55:47","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T18:55:47","slug":"solar-energy-used-in-new-technology-to-turn-seawater-into-drinking-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/solar-energy-used-in-new-technology-to-turn-seawater-into-drinking-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Energy Used in New Technology to Turn Seawater Into Drinking Water"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Samhar Almomani, Publishing Associate<\/span>: Researcher and Writer<\/span> at Save the Water\u2122 | October 10, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n

Solar energy is being explored as a promising way of creating a sustainable freshwater supply. In theory, using solar energy in this way is cheap and effective. <\/span>However, advances in this technology have been set back by performance degradation that results from salt build-up.<\/span><\/a> For a long time, the dream of being able to use solar energy to produce freshwater seemed out of reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climate change has caused the drying of many important freshwater sources<\/span><\/a>. Thus, scientists have prioritized the search for a sustainable and effective way of creating drinking water. People may be facing a large-scale drought soon unless new solutions are found. This urgency has resulted in cross-collaboration between engineers, energy scientists, environmental researchers, and policymakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using New Solar Energy Technology\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

A recent article<\/span><\/a> shows that the logistical problems that researchers were facing with performance decay could be reduced by using \u201ca confined saline layer as an evaporator.\u201d <\/span>The evaporator layer works by using sunlight heat<\/span><\/a> to evaporate water. Then, the vaporized water gets funneled to another section of the device. This leaves the salt behind, allowing it to be separated from the seawater and create drinking water.<\/span><\/p>\n

This device has been shown to be highly effective. <\/span>It\u2019s said to have a high water production rate than other solar water desalination techniques that are being studied.<\/span><\/a> Additionally, it has a higher salt rejection rate than those techniques.The researchers have predicted that if this device was scaled up to the size of a small suitcase, it would be able to produce four to six liters of drinking water every hour. Furthermore, it would last years before needing any replacement parts. This means that it can be sent to other countries that are at a higher risk of drought at a low cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

This technology is promising because it can also be used in households. For example, a scaled-up device would be able to produce enough drinking water to meet the daily needs of a small family. Moreover, scientists have<\/span> suggested that the technology would be very helpful for off-grid coastal communities<\/span><\/a>. It would provide a way for them to access much-needed drinking water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is Solar Energy Technology Important?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Water scarcity is a real threat to many communities around the world<\/span><\/a>. Many regions are already <\/span>struggling with the worst consequences of not having enough water to conduct their day-to-day activities<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n