ArabiaWeather - In a study published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, researchers at the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University have made significant progress in desalinating seawater using technology known as redox, or RFD.
Emerging redox electrochemical technology is capable of converting seawater into potable water and storing renewable energy at an affordable cost. The research team created a special battery based on this technology and linked to seawater desalination techniques, with the aim of integrating the processes of energy storage and water desalination.
The results of this study implement the vision of the “Decarbonizing Chemical Manufacturing Using Sustainable Electricity” initiative, an initiative that includes a diverse team of researchers and industry experts committed to decarbonizing the chemical industry through electricity, with the goal of transforming the world towards clean energy.
According to the information mentioned in the statement, the seawater desalination process consists of a series of industrial chemical processes designed to remove excess salts and minerals from the water. Seawater is desalinated to make it usable for various purposes such as agriculture, drinking and industry.
The desalination process requires technologies that consume large amounts of energy, entail high financial costs, and cause harmful effects on the environment. For example, energy consumption in desalination processes is a major challenge that requires innovative solutions. Hence, researchers in scientific centers are working to develop alternatives that are more effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly, which reduce energy consumption and reduce negative environmental impacts.
The desalination process usually takes place in three basic stages before distributing water into the network, which are as follows: initial water treatment, salt removal process, and final water treatment.
In the desalting stage, dissolved salts in the water are removed along with viruses, chemicals, and dissolved organic matter. This is usually done by the use of semi-permeable membranes or distillation.
The chemical techniques used in the desalting phase are part of the redox processes. These techniques involve a series of chemical reactions in which a change occurs in the oxidation number of atoms of the reactants. In oxidation reactions, electrons are lost by atoms, molecules, or ions, resulting in an increase in positive charge or a decrease in negative charge.
The development of the team led by Dr. Andre Taylor of NYU Tandon in the field of seawater desalination using redox is a significant achievement. The team was able to increase the rate of salt removal in the seawater desalination system using this technology by approximately 20%, which means significant progress in making this process more efficient and economical.
Furthermore, improving fluid flow rates reduces the energy demand required to operate the desalination process, which contributes to making the process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
This progress contributes to enhancing efforts to transition towards using renewable energy and reducing harmful emissions to the environment, and represents an important step towards improving seawater desalination technology in general.
The seawater desalination system project proposed in the study reflects an innovative strategy to balance desalination operations with energy storage and the use of renewable energy in an efficient and sustainable manner. By integrating redox batteries with desalination processes, the project is able to use energy efficiently and achieve a balance in energy supply and demand during desalination processes.
This flexible and scalable approach allows renewable energy sources to be used more effectively, reducing dependence on traditional energy grids and enhancing environmental sustainability. In addition, this approach can contribute to achieving a balance between energy production and consumption, provide a new solution to the global water crisis, and contribute to achieving carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable desalination processes.
Dr. Andre Taylor's words clearly express the purpose of the study, highlighting the importance of research in finding sustainable and effective solutions to the environmental and energy challenges facing the world. By integrating energy storage and desalination processes, the study aims to meet the growing need for fresh water in a way that is environmentally friendly and relies on renewable energy sources.
By focusing on redox as the main technologies, it is possible to achieve a balance in energy use and reduce dependence on energy generated by fossil fuels, which contributes to alleviating pressure on the environment and achieving sustainable development. In addition, the focus on carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly desalination reflects a commitment to providing advanced technological solutions that contribute to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for future generations.
Source: aljazeera
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