Desalination via Ice: Practical in Mountains Near Coasts?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of building a desalination system in high mountain areas near coastal regions. This would involve using solar power to pump water up the mountain and allowing it to freeze to separate fresh water from brine. However, this method would require a lot of energy and may not be practical compared to other methods such as towing an iceberg or using flash distillation or reverse osmosis. Additionally, the limitations of siphons and atmospheric pressure make this approach less feasible. Ultimately, this idea can be compared to the complex Rube Goldberg machines.
  • #1
Godspanther
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Would it work/be practical to build a desalination system in a place that has high mountains near coastal areas? In places like the Atlas mountains of Africa and the Andes in Chile which are near coasts & deserts yet high enough to be snowcapped it may be ideal. Water could be brought to the top of the mountain via a close valved siphon system relying partially on solar powered pumps to move water from sealed tank to sealed tank each incrementally higher up the mountain. Once above the snowline the water would be allowed to freeze over, separating fresh from brine. The ice would be mechanically removed and sent down the mountain via chutes. The separation tank would then be sealed and a valve opened allowing the brine to flow out into a closed system similar to that which raised the water up the mountain. The resulting vacuum would assist the solar powered inflow system.
 
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  • #2
That's a lot of heavy lifting to do for a drink of water. It would probably be cheaper to tow an iceberg from Antarctica north.

With solar energy, you can boil seawater at sea level and condense the vapor into fresh water, or make electric energy to drive a flash distillation or reverse osmosis plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desalination

Water is rather a heavy fluid, and the less pumping and lifting you do, the cheaper it will be.
 
  • #3
Getting enough water pumped to complete the siphon effect would take some time and energy. Once the siphon was established however gravity and solar power would do all the work. After filling the tank one would close off the siphon valves & let the water freeze. Then the tank would have to be unsealed and the ice collected. Then comes the tricky part. The tanks would have to be resealed and enough air pumped out to maintain the siphon once the intake/outflow valves were reopened.
 
  • #4
That is an interesting idea, but to work a siphon one needs gravity and another feature that you have neglected - atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric presure will only push a column of water up to a height of 30 feet (10m ). At the top of the column the pressure is zero so no more "sucking" effect of a siphon can be had.
the siphon effect as you describe will work with only mountains that are only 30 feet high. So back to pumping...
 
  • #5

1. How does desalination via ice work?

Desalination via ice is a process in which seawater is frozen and then melted, leaving behind pure water. This method takes advantage of the different freezing points of saltwater and freshwater. As seawater freezes, the salt and other impurities are separated from the water, leaving behind a block of ice that is mostly freshwater.

2. Is desalination via ice practical in mountainous regions near the coast?

Yes, desalination via ice is practical in mountainous regions near the coast. This method is particularly useful in areas where there is limited access to freshwater sources and a high demand for clean drinking water. Mountainous regions near the coast often have access to seawater and cold temperatures, making them ideal for this process.

3. What are the benefits of desalination via ice compared to other methods?

Desalination via ice has several benefits compared to other desalination methods. It is a more energy-efficient process, as it relies on natural freezing temperatures rather than expensive machinery. It also produces less waste and has a lower environmental impact, as it does not require the use of chemicals or membranes.

4. Are there any drawbacks to desalination via ice?

One potential drawback of desalination via ice is that it requires access to a significant amount of land for the freezing and melting process. It may also be limited in its scalability, as it may not be practical for large-scale water production. Additionally, this method may not be suitable for areas with warm climates and limited access to cold temperatures.

5. Is desalination via ice a viable solution for addressing water scarcity?

Desalination via ice can be a viable solution for addressing water scarcity in certain regions. However, it should not be viewed as a standalone solution and should be used in conjunction with other water conservation and management efforts. It may also be limited in its applicability to certain areas and may not be a feasible solution for all regions facing water scarcity.

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