OSU Zero-Liquid Discharge Solar HDH Reactor¶
Membranes & Advanced Filtration • Est. CapEx: Low-cost / Locally fabricated
Technical Overview¶
Oregon State University is developing a modular, lightweight humidification-dehumidification system that treats highly saline water—including brines saltier than seawater—with zero liquid discharge. Funded by a $2 million DOE award, the process relies entirely on low-temperature solar-thermal heat.
Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Category | Membranes & Advanced Filtration |
| Capital Cost | Low-cost / Locally fabricated |
| Primary Mechanism | A solar-heat-driven reactor forces air through precision nozzles that vaporize saline water into a humid air stream. The stream is then dehumidified to capture fresh water, while dissolved solids precipitate out, achieving zero liquid discharge without membranes or electricity. |
| Target Scale | Household / Village Cluster |
| Standard Lifespan | 10 - 20 Years |
Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶
Need to evaluate this technology for your specific field site? Run the WhatWater.info Selector Engine to compare it against 100+ alternative solutions.