2. Water Facts

3. Ocean water is about 3X as salty as human blood brackish watersalt water

4. Why is the ocean salty? Water is evaporated from the ocean surface but the salt is too heavy to be evaporated and remains in the sea. water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle

5. Why can’t humans drink salt water? Too much salt sends your metabolism into crisis. From every cell, water molecules rush off like so many voluntary firemen to try to dilute and carry off the sudden intake of salt. Cells become dehydrated ( short of the water they need to carry out their normal functions May lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and brain damage). Overworked blood cells carry the salt to the kidneys, which eventually become overwhelmed and shut down. Without functioning kidneys you die.

6. Over 13,000 desalination plants worldwide Producing more than 12 billion gallons of water a day. Only 0.2 percent of global water consumption Desalination market is expected to expand 9.5% CPGR next 10 years. Source: http://globalwarmingisreal.com/2011/03/23/are-desalination-technologies-the-answer-to-the-world-water-crisis/ Worldwide Desalination

7. Popular Desalination Methods Multi-Stage Distillation Reverse Osmosis Ion Concentration Polarization

8. Multi-Stage Flash Distillation Vapor Compression Distillation Reverse Osmosis Ion Concentration Polarization Process Seawater heated; flows thru successively lower pressure containers; vapor condensed on tubes of heat exchanges into fresh water Mechanical compressor or a steam jet compressor generates heat for evaporation. Feed water added and partially evaporates; vapor condenses into freshwater High pressure forces water molecules through a membrane leaving larger molecules of salts and minerals behind Ion concentration polarization zone (ion depletion zone) generated in a microfluidic channel Advantages Can use lower quality feedwater than RO Can use lower quality feedwater than RO Economies of scale in capital costs Economies of scale in capital costs Simple, reliable Simple, reliable Ideal for small operations such as resorts Ideal for small operations such as resorts Higher recovery rate Higher recovery rate Less energy intensive Less energy intensive Microchip size; 8 inch size can produce 15 L water per hour Microchip size; 8 inch size can produce 15 L water per hour Light bulb energy Light bulb energy Dis-advantages Extremely energy intensive Extremely energy intensive Not efficient for larger scale Not efficient for larger scale Greater sensitivity to poor quality feedwater Greater sensitivity to poor quality feedwater New technology not yet commercialized New technology not yet commercialized

9. Source: American Membrane Technology Association http://globalwarmingisreal.com/2011/03/23/are-desalination-technologies-the-answer-to-the-world-water-crisis /American Membrane Technology Association Desalination Costs

10. Environmental Concerns About Desalination 1)Ecological effects resulting from the disposal of brine from the desalination process; 2)Entrainment of aquatic species in and around the desalination facility intake; and 3)Enormous energy requirements