Green and Self-Powered Desalination Plant in Lakshadweep
Recently the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will set up a green and self-powered desalination plant in Lakshadweep.
- Once operational, it will probably be the world’s first desalination plant, which will convert seawater into potable water as well as supply electricity to the plant.
- Current desalination plants are powered by diesel generator sets. This causes air pollution. Also, transporting diesel to the island increases the cost of plant operation.
- NIOT has set up Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants in six islands of Lakshadweep. A LTD has also been set up in North Chennai.
- Desalination is the process of obtaining fresh water from sea water or estuarine salt water.
- The LTD process involves partially vaporizing warm surface seawater at low pressure. The vapor is then condensed with cold deep sea water.
- The cold water condenses the warm water (at the surface level). The hot water pressure is reduced by using vacuum pumps. The condensed water is free from salts and contaminants and is suitable for drinking water.
- Now, the energy needed to reduce the pressure of the hot water will be generated by Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology, instead of getting it from diesel. Earlier diesel powered vacuum pumps were used to generate energy.
Benefits of Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) –
- No chemicals are required in the pre- and post-treatment processes of seawater. This reduces the problem of pollution to a great extent.
- The process is completely indigenous, robust and eco-friendly.
- NIOT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This body is responsible for the design, development, demonstration and commissioning of LTTD plants.
Source – Economics Times
