MIT Battery-Free Solar Electrodialysis System¶
Solar PV Pumping • Est. CapEx: $3,250 USD • Lifespan: 15 Years (Standardized)
Technical Overview¶
A solar-powered electrodialysis unit designed to desalinate brackish groundwater without batteries or grid connection. A real-time control system matches pumping and electrical current to solar irradiance, making it suitable for off-grid arid communities.
Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Category | Solar PV Pumping |
| Capital Cost (CapEx) | $3,250 USD |
| Power / Energy | Solar PV / Thermal |
| Target Scale | Community Scale |
| Standard Lifespan | 15 Years (Standardized) |
| Technology Maturity | Field Tested |
| Primary Mechanism | A flow command-current control module samples solar intensity several times per second and synchronizes water pump flow and electrodialysis current. Salts are drawn through ion-exchange membrane stacks by electric potential, directly consuming up to 94% of generated PV power without energy storage. |
Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶
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