Chemical Properties and Separation of Salt from Sea Water

Chemical Properties and Separation of Salt from Sea Water

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Physical Properties of Sea Water

The combination contained in sea water is that of various salts and on the other hand, it is believed that sea and ocean water originated from the condensation atmosphere as the earth was being formed (Harvey, 2015). It is from the lithosphere that the water was released during the solidification of the earth’s crust. Besides, volcanic action is also believed to have contributed to the formation of sea water as salts released from the reaction and other chemicals dissolved in the water (Albin, 1968).

Apparently, there are various compounds and elements found in sea water and they include; chlorine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphur. However, chlorine ions represent about fifty-five percent of the total composition of sea water (Albin, 1968). On the other hand, there are atmospheric gases found in the sea water and they include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, neon, argon and lithium. However, the concentration of carbon dioxide in water is very highly dissolved in sea water in comparison to the other gaseous elements (Harvey, 2015).

Methods used to convert seawater into drinkable water

It is clear that sea water is not ideal for consumption due to the high concentration of salts and one might die from dehydration. However, there are various ways to convert sea water into consumable water (Frederic, 2009). One of the simplest methods is distillation by evaporation. The process involves the evaporation of sea water and since the salts cannot evaporate or rather, their evaporation point is higher than one hundred degrees, they are left at the bottom. However, the evaporated steam is collected as condensate in another container being 100% free of salts (Teachers TV Television Channel, 2009).

Secondly, the use of a desalination system is a commercial process that converts tonnes of salty water into pure and clean water free of salts. The process involves the use of solar power to charge batteries that are used to charge an electro dialysis machine (Frederic, 2009). Apparently, the batteries tend to charge two electrodes with opposite charges. Considering that salt contains negatively and positively charged ions, all these ions are pulled away from the sea water by the electrodes. As a result, fresher water is left and as the process continues, fresh water is achieved. On the other hand, one can use reverse osmosis in the desalination of sea water with the use of RO devices and an SHTF situation (Teachers TV Television Channel, 2009).

References

Albin, A. G. (1968). The analysis and recommended design of a high-resolution digital data acquisition system for the in situ measurement of various physical and chemical parameters of sea water.

Frederic, P. M. (2009). Desalination. Place of publication not identified: Vdm Pub. House.

Harvey, H. W. (2015). Biological chemistry and physics of sea water.

Teachers TV (Television Channel). (2009). Evaporation and condensation: Robinson Crusoe makes drinking water. England: Teachers TV/UK Dept. of Education.