Question : TREATMENT OF SALINE WATER



(a) whether there is any proposal to make use of nuclear energy in converting the saline water into drinking water;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the time by which it is likely to be started; and

(d) the amount likely to be incurred thereon?

Answer given by the minister



THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)

(a)&(b) Two processes viz, Multi Stage Flash (MSF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) have been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for desalination of water from the ocean. A demonstration plant is being set up at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, which will produce 6300 m3/day of desalinated water from sea water, out of which 4500 m3/day will be produced by MSF technology while the balance of 1800m3/day will be RO technology.

(c)&(b) The plant is estimated to cost Rs.41.96 crore and is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2002.