Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: Atomic-S on 17/06/2006 07:09:12

Title: Drought in the American southwest.
Post by: Atomic-S on 17/06/2006 07:09:12

With the burgeoning population and the scarcity of water, it is lamented not only that cities are looking toward recycling effluent for drinking purposes, but also that the process to do so (reverse osmosis) will waste a significant portion of it as brine. How do you deal with this? Reverse osmosis is a good process but, as I said, wastes a certain percentage. Could one not recover that remainder by distillation? Distillation, apparently, is more expensive; however if it is applied only to the last dregs, only a relatively small amount of water is involved, meaning that only a small plant is needed. Its operating costs when distributed over the whole water system may be tolerable, especially if good technology is used.

Title: Re: Drought in the American southwest.
Post by: realmswalker on 17/06/2006 10:40:47

Hey i live in the southwest!
San diego baby!
yeh it is pretty dry lately...