Revolutionary new technology that could transform the world’s ability to create fresh drinking water from the sea is to be tried and tested on the Welsh coast this spring. Blue Planet Technologies - a joint venture between scientists and engineers in the UK and middle east - have unveiled a prototype for an optimised system of reverse osmosis that cuts energy use by a third and boosts water production by at least 50%.
The trial system is the equivalent of two transport containers and is designed to handle 4000 litres of seawater an hour. It is now being subjected to final modifications on an industrial estate in Llangennech, before beginning demanding test with local seawater.
There are currently around 16,000 desalination plants operating across 177 countries, in a market believed to be worth nearly $14 billion.
Basic desalination has been around for decades but is costly and damaging. The dense brine produced can cause serious environmental degradation and destroy marine life.
It also leaves a heavy carbon footprint.
BPT will minimise brine production and address the other drawbacks of current desalination systems.
The technology has been thoroughly tested in Middle Eastern laboratories and scientists have been greatly encouraged by the results. The Welsh trials will explore how the system could operate at scale, processing vast quantities of water in an industrial setting.
The Swansea-based clean tech firm, Hydro Industries will carry out the trials having partnered with advanced researchers in Bahrain. The venture has already attracted considerable interest from countries and companies heavily reliant on desalination and the impact on global access to fresh water could be transformative.
Wayne Preece, CEO of Hydro Industries, said: “Less than 3% of the world’s water is fresh so the global need for effective desalination is beyond doubt and we are thrilled to be joining Blue Planet in developing the most energy efficient, carbon light and environmentally friendly systems that ill transform the potential of this critical technology”.
Blue Planet Technologies is a Research and Development partnership focussed on addressing one of the most critical challenges facing the world and helping deliver the United Nations’ ambitious goal of safe water sources and sanitation for all.
Copyright © 2023 Blue Planet Technologies - All Rights Reserved.