Comment on Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water

Gerula@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

• Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

  It’s just a giant plastic bag. They catch the runoff with a giant cup.

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  • jdeath@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    As soon as I saw the words “powered by the sun” in the synopsis, I knew what this was. I learned this during survival training, it’s a great way to turn piss (or any other undrinkable water) into clean water. And yeah, all you need is some plastic and a cup. Let the water evaporate (power of the sun) and collect the droplets in something. Had no idea that needed a science paper.

    Here’s the problem with desalination, tho: what do you do with the leftover super-brine? It’s pretty gnar stuff, like almost poison. Wide-scale desalination would produce tons of it every day. Most solutions i’ve heard are like “just dump it back in the ocean!” Which, yeah, how could that ever go wrong?

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    • Haywire@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Did you read the article? You reject the slightly saltier water.

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    • jimbolauski@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      On a commerical scale the super brine may be economical to harvest the lithium. I know systems were getting close to being able to economically extract lithium from sea water. A more concentrated solution should make it easier.

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    • aulin@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

      Also, this would be distilled water? Or do they have some process to add the necessary minerals afterwards? I didn’t see anything about that. Because drinking distilled water isn’t exactly good for you.

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      • GodofGrunts@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        There’s nothing particularly wrong with drinking distilled water as long as you are getting enough minerals and electrolytes from the rest of your diet.

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  • Gerula@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

    Exactly, imagine how much water can you gather in a hot climate that doesn’t evaporate untilyou get it or grow algae/fungi/protozoa/things that aren good for you.

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