Turning saltwater into freshwater using a centrifuge?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of separating salt from water using a centrifuge, but concludes that it is not practical compared to other methods such as evaporation and reverse osmosis."
  • #1
TSN79
424
0
Just a thought that occurred to me while sitting around. Well?
 
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  • #2
Possible but expensive
 
  • #3
Salt dissolves in water. A centrifuge will not separate out something that is in solution.
 
  • #4
HallsofIvy said:
Salt dissolves in water. A centrifuge will not separate out something that is in solution.

Yep, your best bet is just to evaporate it and condense it.
 
  • #5
If the centrifuge turns fast enough, then the concentration of salt can be increased on one side. It cannot become larger than the maximum concentration that can be dissolved at the temperature it is in; salt crystals will form in the water if you attempt to exceed that limit.
 
  • #6
With an ultracentrifuge cascade you could separate salt water if there is a starting point of any difference in salinity.
But as I said it's not really practical compared to reverse osmosis.
 

1. How does a centrifuge turn saltwater into freshwater?

A centrifuge uses the process of centrifugation, which involves spinning the saltwater at high speeds. This causes the heavier salt particles to separate from the lighter freshwater, allowing them to be collected separately.

2. How does the centrifuge remove the salt from the saltwater?

The centrifuge uses the force of gravity to separate the salt particles from the water. As the saltwater spins, the heavier salt particles are pushed to the outer edges of the centrifuge, while the lighter freshwater stays in the center.

3. How long does it take for the centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater?

The time it takes for the centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater depends on the size and speed of the centrifuge, as well as the concentration of salt in the saltwater. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

4. What is the efficiency of using a centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater?

The efficiency of a centrifuge in turning saltwater into freshwater depends on various factors such as the quality and maintenance of the centrifuge, the speed and duration of the process, and the salt concentration of the saltwater. Generally, a well-functioning centrifuge can remove up to 99% of the salt from saltwater.

5. What are the potential applications of using a centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater?

The main application of using a centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater is for desalination purposes, where access to freshwater is limited. This technology can also be used for on-site freshwater production in marine vessels and offshore oil platforms, as well as in emergency situations for disaster relief efforts.

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