Q&A for How to Desalinate Water

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Instead of letting the sun do all the work, can I boil the water?

Community Answer

That's essentially what large desalination plants do. Just keep in mind the heat so you don't melt any plastic.

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Question

What happens to the salt?

Community Answer

The salt remains in solution in the larger bowl, just in greater concentrations. If the concentration becomes high enough, it will precipitate (i.e., form solid salt) in the bottom of the bowl.

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Question

What happens if you leave it out for more than three or four hours?

Community Answer

Nothing bad will happen to the water if you wait longer than three or four hours.

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Question

Is there a way to do this using a heat lamp as a source of heat?

Community Answer

Just follow the same steps, but instead of leaving it out in the sun, you can use the heat lamp.

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Question

Can I follow the same steps with a non-glass bowl?

Community Answer

This is unlikely, as glass has a property to allow in the heat from sunlight and contain it. (Think greenhouses). You may only be able to achieve this result with a non-glass bowl if an external source heats the water till condensation occurs, like a pot on a stove. If using this method, keep in mind that you'll need to find a safe alternative to plastic wrap to replace that function in this diagram.

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Question

Is desalination a feasible way to purify water when camping? Can stream water be collected in a bowl and heated in a similar fashion to yield potable water?

Community Answer

You can provide water for camping this way, but it will take a long time for the water to evaporate in a bowl out in the sun. Try using a cooker or a bonfire to heat the water. Or you can simply bring water with you, or use one of the many water purification products designed for hikers and campers such as pumps, filters, and tablets.

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Question

Would a focus light such as a lamp work instead of sunlight?

Community Answer

Probably not, unless it were of a higher wattage, or a heat lamp. The reason being, it has to generate enough heat to make the water evaporate so it can re-condense on the plastic wrap (leaving the salt behind). You could try it, though but you can't be certain of the results.

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Question

Would leaving it for more than a day change the results?

Community Answer

It wouldn't do anything to the water. Also, if you want better results you can dig a hole and you will get more water.

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Question

Would a source of heat work?

Community Answer

Steam it and capture the gassed water. In the original container will be the salt from the water you just steamed.

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Question

How would I desalinate water with nothing but a container of salt water?

Community Answer

You can't do it with just one container -- you need at least two. Plastic wrap is also helpful.

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Question

How can I find the salt left in the bowl?

Community Answer

You can just see the salt in the bottom of the bowl by looking inside.

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Question

Can I simply distill water by using a small still for making home brew?

Community Answer

Yes, the process will capture the water vapor in the condenser coil and cool it as it drips into the fresh water container you use.

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Question

If the point is to desalinate water, then why would I need to salinate it?

Community Answer

You need to salinate the water before you can desalinate it. Since you are starting with plain bottled water, you need to add salt to it prior to desalinating.

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