Solar-powered Desalination Innovation Reducing Energy Consumption by 80%

Desalination is a process that requires a significant amount of energy, with reverse osmosis and heat-based techniques consuming a large portion of the electricity used for water provisioning. However, a breakthrough in desalination technology has been achieved by a research team led by Juan Felipe Torres from ANU's School of Engineering, utilizing solar energy to minimize energy consumption by up to 80%.

Thermodiffusion, a method that utilizes temperature gradients to move salt and facilitate desalination, is at the core of this innovation. By applying low-grade heat instead of high pressure or heat for evaporation, the researchers have developed a more energy-efficient approach. The process keeps the water in its liquid state, eliminating the need to vaporize and cool it back, further reducing energy requirements.

In a recent demonstration of the technology, the researchers utilized a narrow channel to pass seawater through. The water was placed between two plates maintained at different temperatures - one heated to over 140 Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) and the other cooled to 68 Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). This setup effectively utilized solar energy to power the desalination process, showcasing the effectiveness of this eco-friendly approach.