The diagram presents a visual representation of the process involved in the removal of salt from sea water in order to make it suitable for drinking purposes.
Overall, the desalination process entails several stages, including pre-treatment filtration, high-pressure membrane filtration, post-treatment with lime, chlorine, and fluoride, storage, and integration into the water supply system. Additionally, it involves the return of byproducts such as filter backwash and seawater concentrate to the sea.
The initial stage of the desalination process involves pre-treatment filtration, where sea water undergoes filtration to remove larger impurities and particles. Following this, the filtered water is forced through a membrane at high pressure, effectively blocking salt and other impurities, and allowing water molecules to pass through. As a result, the desalinated water is separated from the salt. It is worth noting that this high-pressure membrane filtration is a crucial step in ensuring the removal of salt from the sea water, thus making it suitable for consumption.
After the high-pressure membrane filtration, the desalinated water undergoes post-treatment with lime, chlorine, and fluoride. This stage aims to ensure that the water meets the necessary standards for drinking, by adjusting its pH and adding necessary disinfectants and fluoride. Subsequently, the treated water is stored before being integrated into the water supply system, ensuring that it becomes part of the potable water supply. Furthermore, the diagram illustrates the return of byproducts such as filter backwash and seawater concentrate to the sea, completing the overall desalination process.