Although revealing many prospects in the future, seawater desalination technology is still extremely expensive, in addition it consumes a lot of energy – up to 4kWh / 1m3 of water – due to the use of reverse osmosis method.
In Singapore, scientists are working on a method of biological simulation, that is, simulating the biological process of mangroves and a group of salted fish that can survive in both freshwater and salt water, to see them do. How to filter seawater with the least amount of energy?
Another approach is to use an aquaporin-enhanced biofilm – a special protein channel embedded in the membrane cells that selectively moves water back and forth between the cells and prevents salt from passing through. .
If science can find a way to effectively simulate these biological processes, Mr. Harry Seah – Chief Technology Officer of PUB, Singapore Water Authority – believes that desalination technology in seawater is increasingly consuming. Less cost and energy is coming soon.