The world’s first ever low temperature thermal desalination plant (LTTD) was opened in Kavaratti, one of the Indian Lakshadweep islands. The plant cost about INR 50 million (EUR 922,000) and will produce 100,000 litres/day of potable water from sea water. Production costs, currently INR 220-250/m3 (EUR 4.1-4.6/m3), are expected to go do down to INR 30-60/m3 (EUR 0.55-1.11/m3) as the capacity is increased.

LTTD technology involves flashing relatively warm sea water (28-30 deg Celsius) inside a vacuum flash chamber and condensing the resultant vapour using deep sea cold water (7-15 deg Celsius). The cold water for the Kavaratti plant is drawn at a depth of 350m some 400m from the shore.

The technology was developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). It can not only used to produce drinking water but also for power generation and air conditioning. In addition, the deep sea water contains extra nutrients for fish, an important source of food and income for the local population.

The government plans to set up desalination plants with a capacity of 10 million litres/per day on all islands and coastal areas.

Related news: Desalination: Dutch firms develops high efficiency solar distillation unit, Source, 10 Feb 2004

Source: Gov of India Press Information Bureau, 23 May 2005

Tags: water quality