Desalination Technology By Javier Caro

To introduce the idea of desalination. Discuss the importance of desalination in Spain. Show how desalination is a valuable optimisation of natural resources. Desalination as part of sustainable development in the world.

Water-poor areas in the 1950 to 1960 with plenty of fuel, turned energy into water, requiring vast amount of energy by the process of evaporation. In 1970 desalination-plant-developers adopted reverse osmosis as more efficent technology. Conventional resources of fresh water in some areas have proven more costly.

Desalination in Spain Spain provided the first plant installed in Europe in 1964 to supply the water- poor Canary Islands. Spain began to undertake research about the desalination process. Spanish companies became leaders in design, engineering and construction of new plants around the world.

Electricity consumption Spain is the fourth-largest user of desalination technology in the world Number of Plants Production Technology System Electricity consumption 6 6

Environmental Challenges From every liter taken from the sea, less than half becomes distilled. The other half is returned to the sea twice as salty. This water is piped back into the sea safely, away fro eco systems. Although there is no proof of deterious effect to the environment, this is something currently under consideration and is being researched .

These companies have some of the strong backgrounds in the desalination

The usage of desalination is rising around the world. Spain: The government has put a new plan on hold involving 20 new desalination plants Algeria: Currently in the process of building 7 large plants. Districts en California are planning stages of desalination plants along the coast.

Mexico is installing its first plant in the resort town of los Cabos. In the Middle East, most old plants based on evaporation are installing Reverse Osmosis or hybrid system.

Conclusion Lack of water is one of the new problem which the governments have to resolve in this millennium. Desalination process will improve the situation of millions of people in the world.

References Article taken from Technology Review :http://www.technologyreview.com/micr osites/spain/multimedia/desal_2/8.asp x retrieved on the 30th of November http://www.neoteo.com/desalinizacion- de-agua-de-mar-en-espana.neo retrieved on the 1st December