ABSTRACT
The world’s total water supply is enormous compared with the presently conceivable needs of man, yet there is a growing water concern. Traditional processes are reviewed and several new options for desalination developed, in part, by one the authors are presented. The solar evaporation, crystallization, a greenhouse solar evaporator, a simple evaporation unit, a humidification/dehumidification unit, a heat conduit evaporator, a geothermal evaporator, a freeze desalination process, mangrove processes, a humidification unit, and reverse osmosis and crystallization hybrid processes. Feedwater is introduced to the desalination unit where, following the application of some form of energy it is separated into pure water and a more concentrated brine solution. At present, the economic feasibility of all other processes, irrespective of the energy employed, is considered doubtful with the exception of solvent extraction and hydrate formation which may have some possibility in the future.
