How do Desalination Plants Work?

Reverse Osmosis Process

Now that we have a better understanding of what a desalination plant is, we can discuss how the plants work. There are several different ways that a desalination plant can operate. I will discuss the two most common methods: vacuum distillation and reverse osmosis. Vacuum distillation is, simply put, where the water is boiled at a less than atmospheric pressure and the waste in the water is distilled and evaporated. The other common method of desalination is reverse osmosis. The concept of the method is relatively simple. The water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane works as a filtration system that catches the undesirable molecules and ions in the water. This process is often seen in water recycling plants as well. Reverse Osmosis can create potable water that could be used as drinking water. The Charles Meyer Desalination plant in Santa Barbara currently is equipped to use the Reverse Osmosis water filtration system.