Indian Scientists Develop World’s First Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Plant

Scientists at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai have developed world’s first low temperature thermal desalination plant, which could address drinking water problems in India’s ocean island territories and even offshore urban centres along the coastline.

Low temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) is one process that uses the availability of a temperature gradient between two water bodies or flows to evaporate the warmer seawater at low pressures and condense the resultant vapour with the colder seawater to obtain fresh water. 

“The 12-13oC cold water available at about 400m depth within 600m from the island is used along with the surface water at about 28oC to produce potable water in the Lakshadweep Islands,” Dr Ramana Murthy, Scientist at NIOT told Indian Science Journal.