Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water
news.mit.edu
A new solar desalination system takes in saltwater and heats it with natural sunlight. The system flushes out accumulated salt, so replacement parts aren’t needed often, meaning the system could potentially produce drinking water that is cheaper than tap water.
  • Donjuanme@lemmy.world
    582·
    10 months ago

    “The researchers estimate that if the system is scaled up to the size of a small suitcase, it could produce about 4 to 6 liters of drinking water per hour and last several years before requiring replacement parts. At this scale and performance, the system could produce drinking water at a rate and price that is cheaper than tap water.”

    Holy eff, I was expecting “per day” after 4-6 liters from a suitcase size device… That’s more water than I consume in a day, even on double flush days. Of course it would only be during daylight, and with full sun I imagine. But that’s still so much water!

    • anachronist@midwest.socialEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      I’ve been on boats with RO filters that are about the same size and can produce about the same amount of fresh water. The thing is that’s no where near “cheaper than tap water.” Tap water production and consumption is measured in acre-feet.

  • Sprokes@jlai.lu
    423·
    10 months ago

    I will give it few weeks and we will no longer hear about it. There are many articles like this but as always nothing is developed.

    • mctoasterson@reddthat.com
      2·
      10 months ago

      A significant amount of researchers seem to author these kinds of papers that sound great but then can’t be reliably reproduced, or are completely impractical in application. The NileRed video about his attempts to create the compressed wood “armor” was very illuminating to this point.

  • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
    282·
    10 months ago

    Ah yes, and I also have a bridge here in my bag to sell you!

    It’s sad that this is yet another thing endorsed by MIT that’s yet again vaporware. MIT used to mean something, now I automatically assume it’s nonsense.