The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is stepping up from its ongoing initiative of providing potable water in six islands of Lakshadweep using Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology, working at making this process free of emissions.
- For the first time in the world, probably, NIOT is setting up a desalination plant that will also supply power to the plant.
- Currently the desalination plants provides at least 100,000 litres of potable water everyday.
- However, these plants are powered by diesel generator sets.
About LTTD
- LTTD exploits the difference in temperature (nearly 15°C) in ocean water at the surface and at depths of about 600 feet.
- This cold water condenses water at the surface, that is warmer but whose pressure has been lowered using vacuum pumps.
- Such de-pressurised water can evaporate even at ambient temperatures and this resulting vapour when condensed is free of salts and contaminants and fit to consume.
- The need for diesel power to reduce the water pressure means that the process is not fossil-fuel free and also consumes diesel, which is shipped from the mainland.
- The Chennai based NIOT is an institute under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
