Especially in regions with limited water resources, potable and industrial water is produced by desalination plants across coastal areas.

Common methods of desalination processes:

Reverse osmosis (RO):
Saline water is pressed against a membrane. When overcoming the osmotic pressure, the membrane allows only the solvent to pass it. The solutes, in this case salts, are held back. As the osmotic pressure of the rest of the salt solution is increasing steadily, it must be discharged. Otherwise, there is the risk of a pressure equalization, which causes the process to stop. Since the RO membranes are very sensitive to organic pollution, an accurate and reliable monitoring of the RO inlet is of great importance to prevent biological growth and impairments of the process.

Multi-stage flash evaporation:
Saline water is heated up to 115°C degrees within a so-called brine-heater. Subsequently, the water is lead through several flash stages with each increased pressure, whereby the steam condenses to salt-free water.

Membrane distillation:
Warm saline water is separated from a cooler interface by a membrane, which only allows water steam to pass it. This process is powered by an electrical field, static pressure difference or by a concentration gradient. When the water steam condenses, salt-free water is produced.