Why in the News?
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a siphon-based thermal desalination system that overcomes siltation issues, offering a low-cost and scalable solution.
About Siphon-Based Thermal Desalination System:
- Overview: Developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers to overcome the inefficiencies of conventional solar stills.
- Purpose: Designed as a low-cost, scalable, and sustainable freshwater solution for off-grid and water-stressed regions.
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Working:Â
- Principle: Works on siphonage, where a fabric wick draws salty water and gravity maintains continuous flow.
- Innovation: A grooved metallic surface flushes away salt deposits before crystallization, preventing clogging.
- Process: Salty water evaporates as a thin film on a heated surface and condenses just 2 mm away on a cooler surface, ensuring high efficiency.
Key Features:
- High Efficiency: Generates >6 liters of freshwater per sq. m per hour under sunlight — several times more than conventional solar stills.
- Multistage Design: Uses stacked evaporator–condenser pairs to recycle heat and boost output.
- Salt Resistance: Handles up to 20% salinity without clogging, making it effective even for brine treatment.
- Affordable Materials: Built from aluminum and fabric, keeping costs low.
- Energy Flexibility: Operates on solar power or waste heat, adaptable to different settings.
- Scalable Applications: Useful for villages, disaster zones, and island communities.
- Sustainability: Offers a clean, low-maintenance desalination method without reliance on complex machinery.
| [UPSC 2008] Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh liters of freshwater per day based on low-temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?
Options: (a) Kavaratti * (b) Port Blair (c) Mangalore (d) Valsad |
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