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Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)  develops indigenous membranes for seawater desalination on Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships.

News in Detail

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) develops a technology to convert seawater into fresh, drinkable water. This technology, called a nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane, works like an advanced filter that removes salt and impurities from seawater under high pressure.

The nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane is a high-tech filtration system designed for reverse osmosis, a process that forces seawater through a semi-permeable membrane to separate salt and impurities, producing fresh water.

The Kanpur-based Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a DRDO laboratory, creates this membrane specifically for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships. 

• These ships need reliable freshwater during long missions, but seawater’s chloride ions (a type of salt component) damage desalination systems. 
• DMSRDE’s membrane solves this problem by staying stable and durable in harsh saline conditions.

With minor changes, this technology can help coastal communities access clean water, addressing water scarcity challenges. This achievement strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), reducing dependence on foreign technology and boosting India’s technological sovereignty.

What is Desalination?  

Desalination is a process that removes salt and impurities from seawater to produce fresh, drinkable water. 

With freshwater sources like rivers and lakes drying up due to population growth, climate change, and overuse, many countries turn to desalination to meet their water needs, especially in coastal areas.  

How Does Desalination Work?

Seawater Intake => Pumps draw seawater from the ocean. This water contains salt, minerals, and sometimes tiny marine organisms.

Salt and Mineral Separation => Two main methods separate salt from water:

• Reverse Osmosis => Seawater passes through special filters (membranes) that block salt and impurities but allow fresh water to flow through. This requires high pressure and energy.
• Thermal Desalination => Seawater is heated to create steam, leaving salt behind. The steam cools and condenses into fresh water. This method uses even more energy than reverse osmosis.

Purification => The fresh water undergoes treatment to make it safe for drinking. This may involve adding minerals or disinfecting it to remove bacteria.

Brine Disposal => The leftover salty water, called brine, is returned to the ocean. However, brine is highly concentrated and can harm marine life if not disposed of carefully.

Significance

Desalination provides a reliable source of fresh water in regions where natural sources are scarce. For example:

• Coastal countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE rely heavily on desalination to supply water to cities, industries, and farms.
• It’s a lifeline during droughts when rainfall is low, and rivers or lakes can’t meet demand.
• It reduces dependence on overused groundwater, which is critical in areas where wells are drying up.

According to a 2023 report by the International Desalination Association (IDA), over 300 million people worldwide depend on desalinated water, with more than 21,000 desalination plants operating globally.

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Source: 

PIB