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The affordability of modern desalination technology has improved significantly in recent years, primarily due to advancements in energy efficiency and membrane technology. While the cost of desalinated water still tends to be higher than traditional sources, such as groundwater or surface water, prices have decreased to around $0.50 to $3.00 per cubic meter in many regions. However, the overall affordability can vary greatly depending on local energy costs, infrastructure, and the scale of the desalination plant. As technology continues to evolve, further reductions in costs are anticipated, making desalination a more viable option in water-scarce areas.

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Who invented desalination plants?

Desalination as a technology has roots dating back to ancient civilizations, but modern desalination plants were developed in the 20th century. The first large-scale desalination plant was established in 1954 in Kuwait, utilizing multi-stage flash distillation. Researchers and engineers from various countries contributed to advancements in the technology, making it more efficient and widespread for addressing water scarcity. Notable figures in the development of desalination technologies include scientists like Dr. Sidney Loeb, who pioneered reverse osmosis techniques in the 1960s.


What is a benefit of desalination technology?

Fresh drinking water


What are two areas of science in desalination?

Two key areas of science in desalination are materials science and membrane technology. Materials science focuses on developing advanced membranes that can efficiently filter out salt and impurities while allowing water to pass through, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of desalination processes. Additionally, chemical engineering plays a crucial role in optimizing the energy consumption and overall efficiency of desalination systems, including processes like reverse osmosis and thermal desalination.


How is science and technology utilized in desalination?

Desalination is the process of removing salt from sea water in order to make drinking water. The method of doing this typically uses reverse osmosis. Distillation is sometimes employed, usually using vacuum distillation.


How costly is desalination?

Desalination can be quite costly, with expenses typically ranging from $0.50 to $3.00 per cubic meter of freshwater produced, depending on the technology used and the scale of the facility. Factors influencing costs include energy consumption, infrastructure investment, and maintenance. While advancements in technology aim to reduce costs, desalination remains more expensive than traditional freshwater sources like rivers and groundwater. Nonetheless, it is increasingly considered a viable option for water-scarce regions.

Related Questions

Which modern technology allows Israel to survive extreme droughts?

Desalination


What modern technology allows populations like Israel's to survive extreme droughts and lack of fresh drinking water?

Desalination.


Which statement describes a benefit of desalination technology?

The desalination process converts ocean water to freshwater.


Who invented desalination plants?

Desalination as a technology has roots dating back to ancient civilizations, but modern desalination plants were developed in the 20th century. The first large-scale desalination plant was established in 1954 in Kuwait, utilizing multi-stage flash distillation. Researchers and engineers from various countries contributed to advancements in the technology, making it more efficient and widespread for addressing water scarcity. Notable figures in the development of desalination technologies include scientists like Dr. Sidney Loeb, who pioneered reverse osmosis techniques in the 1960s.


What is a benefit of desalination technology?

Fresh drinking water


When is physics used in desalination?

Physics is used in desalination when understanding processes like osmosis, reverse osmosis, and thermodynamics, which are fundamental to desalination technology. These processes involve the movement of water across membranes under pressure differentials and the utilization of energy for separation, making physics a critical aspect of the desalination process.


Are desalination plants expensive to build and operate?

Yes, desalination plants are generally expensive to build and operate due to the high costs associated with the technology and energy required to remove salt from seawater.


Can solar technology be made affordable?

Yes, it can.


What is the cost of setting up desalination plant?

Cost of course depends on capacity and desalination method. Shoaiba Desalination Plant, Saudi Arabia, uses MSF Flash technology with a total output capcity of 128 million gallons per day. Cost 1.6 billion $US.


How attractive are desalination and water-purifying technology?

The desalinated water is more expensive but in many countries is absolutely necessary.


What technology is used to purify sea water for human use without using desalination plants?

reverse osmosis


What are the cause of modern technology?

Innovation is the cause of modern technology. It is the creative mind that causes advances in technology that keeps it modern.