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

• 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 ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ 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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      • aulin@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

        True. However I would think that a system such as this would be used mostly in developing countries where getting all those minerals from your diet is not a given.

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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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