Tamil Nadu   

NIOT proposes 10 MLD floating desalination plant

T. Ramakrishnan

Low temperature thermal desalination method `efficacious'

FLOATING FACILITY: The NIOT is planning to commission a higher capacity desalination plant following the success of its 1MLD experimental plant.

CHENNAI : Encouraged by the successful commissioning of an experimental one-million litres a day (MLD) floating desalination plant, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has decided to go in for a 10-MLD plant, using the low temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) method. "Our department (Union Ministry of Earth Sciences) has given us approval in principle. We will send a formal proposal shortly," S. Kathiroli, Director of the Institute, told The Hindu on Wednesday.

The Institute had put up its experimental plant on a barge about 40 km offshore of Ennore Port. Its technology is based on the difference in temperature of deep-sea water and that of surface seawater. The proposed plant too will come up near the Chennai coast.

Dr. Kathiroli said the Centre's clearance would be obtained in a month. In about 18 months, the 10-MLD plant would be ready, at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 crore.

The experimental one-MLD plant had been decommissioned, he said, adding that the proposed plant would have some modifications.

As for the NIOT's idea of setting up a shore-based desalination plant, the Director said his organisation would give its proposal in writing in a few days to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. The Institute already had discussions with the State Government and he was hopeful of getting the Government's early. "In a few months, this plant too will be ready. Its capacity will be a little more than one MLD."

[According to the NIOT's proposal, warm water discharged from thermal power stations in and around Chennai will be used by the Institute to produce fresh water. The LTTD method essentially makes use of temperature difference in the water to generate potable water.] Dr. Kathiroli said the plan was to establish one shore-based plant near the North Chennai thermal power station. "We would like to demonstrate efficacy of our technology." The cost of water produced by such a plant would be less than that of an offshore plant. Against six paise per litre in the case of an offshore plant, the cost would be three to four paise in respect of a shore-based plant.

On Tuesday, the Institute held discussions with about 45 firms to explore the possibilities of establishing desalination plants with the involvement of private entrepreneurs. It wanted to use the concept of public-private partnership for setting up such plants. "The discussions were only preliminary," Dr. Kathiroli said.

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