New Carbon Technology Cuts Desalination Costs by 15%

Innovative carbon cloth electrodes enhance seawater purification, reducing boron removal costs and boosting sustainability.

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Researchers at the University of Michigan and Rice University have developed an advanced carbon cloth electrode technology that could transform seawater purification and significantly lower costs. This innovative system efficiently removes boron contaminants without requiring costly chemical treatments, addressing a major challenge in reverse osmosis desalination.

Early estimates indicate that operational costs could be reduced by 15%, saving approximately $0.20 per cubic meter of treated water. Given that global desalination capacity reached 95 million cubic meters per day in 2019, this advancement could lead to industry-wide savings of $6.9 billion annually. Major facilities, such as San Diego’s Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, are among those poised to benefit.

How Carbon Cloth Electrodes Improve Seawater Desalination

The new system utilizes oxygen-rich porous electrodes to selectively remove boron from seawater. Unlike conventional reverse osmosis membranes, which struggle to capture electrically neutral boric acid, this method employs an electrical charge to effectively isolate and remove boron molecules while allowing other essential ions to pass through.

This sustainable water treatment approach eliminates the need for secondary chemical treatments and additional reverse osmosis stages, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. The process also enhances water purification efficiency by leveraging a self-sustaining ionization cycle, ensuring consistent and effective contaminant removal.

Market Impact and Future Applications

Beyond boron removal, the technology shows potential for addressing other water contaminants, including arsenic and heavy metals, through electrode modifications. This versatility makes it a promising solution for industrial water treatment and large-scale seawater desalination operations.

With freshwater supplies projected to meet only 40% of global demand by 2030, innovations like this could play a crucial role in solving the water crisis. The system’s energy efficiency and scalability make it an attractive option for commercial desalination plants looking to reduce costs while maintaining high water quality standards. As the demand for sustainable water solutions grows, carbon cloth electrode technology could reshape the future of desalination and environmental sustainability.

Environment + Energy Leader