Research project to be based on thermal systems
Australia’s CSIRO has formed an alliance with Queensland’s AquaDyne to develop a solar powered desalination unit.
AquaDyne already has a pilot thermal desalination plant testing a new design that uses multiple heat exchangers to minimise the cost of water purification and remediation. This system will now be adapted to use solar power at CSIRO’s Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology in the Brisbane suburb of Pinjarra Hills.
The project, which will be under the CSIRO Division of Exploration and Mining, is expected to be operational by June. Initial research apparently indicates 1,000 m² of solar panels will be required to produce half a megalitre of desalinated water per day and produce surplus steam for power generation. The project, which could slash the cost of desalination, is expected to be complete by the end of the year.