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Would it be feasible for a desalination plant to also process and sell sea salt as a byproduct? Alternatively, could the salt be used for molten salt energy sto

Would it be feasible for a desalination plant to also process and sell sea salt as a byproduct? Alternatively, could the salt be used for molten salt energy storage? Humans have come up with tons of interesting ways to generate and store energy. I think we'll see some truly innovation solutions combining these methods to solve our biggest problems.

gpm 8y ago
Desalination typically only raises the concentration by 2 in the non fresh water output. So it would be another process on top of the desalination. Doesn't mean it doesn't make economic sense. Just that it's not an easy win.
- ggm 8y ago
  Your comment sorted below one saying the KSA has ruined the gulf because of intensive hypersaline solutions in the water. So.. can you help reconcile your optimistic and their pessimistic assumptions? Whats the difference? Gulf doesn't wash out well. Maybe the dumped water doesn't disperse?
  - gpm 8y ago
    There was an article on this not too long ago on HN with a good comments section, you should be able to find it by searching. From what I recall the situation is basically - Locally it doesn't disperse fast enough, 2x is a lot when talking about sealife. - They add copper (and maybe some other stuff) to prevent fouling of the pipes, which is bad for you.
ShorsHammer 8y ago
The brine waste from desal is full of nasty stuff you don't want concentrated even further and sold as food. Removing the long list of chemicals and heavy metals is not going to be viable costwise and even the most foolhardy consumer would think twice over regular salt. A responsible desal plant does studies on how to pump and disperse it in the ocean as best possible. Sadly in the gulf the Saudis aren't doing this and have completely ruined the local ecosystem. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/saudi-thirst-for-water-is-seen-creating-a-toxic-brine-problem https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/saudi-thi...

gpm 8y ago

Desalination typically only raises the concentration by 2 in the non fresh water output. So it would be another process on top of the desalination. Doesn't mean it doesn't make economic sense. Just that it's not an easy win.

ggm 8y ago
Your comment sorted below one saying the KSA has ruined the gulf because of intensive hypersaline solutions in the water. So.. can you help reconcile your optimistic and their pessimistic assumptions? Whats the difference? Gulf doesn't wash out well. Maybe the dumped water doesn't disperse?
- gpm 8y ago
  There was an article on this not too long ago on HN with a good comments section, you should be able to find it by searching. From what I recall the situation is basically - Locally it doesn't disperse fast enough, 2x is a lot when talking about sealife. - They add copper (and maybe some other stuff) to prevent fouling of the pipes, which is bad for you.

ShorsHammer 8y ago

The brine waste from desal is full of nasty stuff you don't want concentrated even further and sold as food. Removing the long list of chemicals and heavy metals is not going to be viable costwise and even the most foolhardy consumer would think twice over regular salt. A responsible desal plant does studies on how to pump and disperse it in the ocean as best possible. Sadly in the gulf the Saudis aren't doing this and have completely ruined the local ecosystem. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/saudi-thirst-for-water-is-seen-creating-a-toxic-brine-problem https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/saudi-thi...