2006-08-10 04:38:46 · 6 answers · asked by Padmini Gopalan 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Solar distillation may be used in some regions to produce very clean water; it can be done on the small scale (references 1,2) for individual homes, and has been done in the past on a much larger scale as seen from recent archaeological remains in Mexico, among other locations. It is possible to glass in several thousand square feet, which are then used to collect solar distillate.
More common techniques consist of reverse osmosis (RO), which is used in energy-rich countries including some of the Middle East, as well as domestically (Florida, California). The water produced is energy-intensive, and more expensive than from other sources. However, as increasing demands for water in conjunction with diminished supply in many regions will eventually lead to grave problems, it is expected that RO and other techniques (including carbon aerogel electrolytic separation) will probably come into play, perhaps at a reduced cost once the magnitude of scale is increased.
So- yes, it is possible. The biggest problem is that removing ALL the salt is difficult and expensive, so use of RO water in farming crops is contraindicated in the long run due to the risk of salinification of the soil. Very bad.
2006-08-10 09:23:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is.
Locate power plants on or near the coast and use the waste heat to evaporate sea water and then condense it and you have nice pure water.
This is being done in many places in the world.
2006-08-10 06:16:54 · answer #2 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, desalinization is not cheap. It's actually extremely expensive. China, a country with massive water shortages, has tested desalinization. As far as I know, they found it to be economically impossible...yet, I still think they are trying to make it work. I believe they refer to desalinization as an inevitable solution, regardless of the cost...
2006-08-10 04:44:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
at sea, many life rafts contain a large plastic bag with a funnel, you fill it with seawater, it evaporates into the top of the bag, drips to the funnel & into c metal cup at the bottm -- fresh water, how cheap is that?
2006-08-10 05:06:44 · answer #4 · answered by Auggie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Many countries already do it. "Reasonable cost" is more than most of us are currently paying for water. It is not cheap. But it is doable and practical.
2006-08-10 04:44:42 · answer #5 · answered by Larry 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes .Use freely available sun heat.
2006-08-11 01:27:11 · answer #6 · answered by A.Ganapathy India 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋