Turning saltwater into freshwater using a centrifuge?

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Using a centrifuge to turn saltwater into freshwater is theoretically possible but impractical and expensive. A centrifuge cannot separate dissolved salt from water since salt is in solution. Evaporation and condensation are more effective methods for desalination. While a high-speed centrifuge could increase salt concentration, it cannot exceed the solubility limit, leading to crystal formation. Reverse osmosis remains the preferred method for desalinating water.
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Just a thought that occurred to me while sitting around. Well?
 
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Possible but expensive
 
Salt dissolves in water. A centrifuge will not separate out something that is in solution.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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