Developing a Cost-Effective Prototype for Residential and Agricultural Desalination Using Vapor Condensation Technology 

Researcher(s)

  • Sebastian Nunez, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware

Faculty Mentor(s)

  • Aziz Banawi, Civil Engineering, University of Delaware

Abstract

Title: Developing a Cost-Effective Prototype for Residential and Agricultural Desalination Using Vapor Condensation Technology

Freshwater scarcity remains one of the most critical global challenges, driven by increasing demand and limited access to clean water. While 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, approximately 97% of this is saline and unsuitable for direct human use (#1). Of the remaining 2.5% that is fresh water, only about 1.2% is easily accessible, with the majority sequestered in glaciers, deep aquifers, or atmospheric systems (#2). This research develops a prototype for a residential and small-scale agricultural desalination unit using vapor condensation (VC) technology. The following objectives were accomplished to achieve the designed goals: (1) review and synthesize past desalination technologies and brine management practices; (2) compare thermal versus membrane-based technologies; (3) evaluate feasibility for residential integration; and (4) develop a cost-effective VC-based prototype suitable for decentralized implementation.