India to set up low-temperature thermal desalination plant

India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology is planning to set up a new water treatment plant with low-temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) technology at Tuticorin Thermal Power station, Tamil Nadu.

Construction work has started at the plant, which is expected to process two million litres of potable water per day.

The technology has been developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in India, through the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

The technology involves evaporation of warmer surface seawater at low pressures. The resulting vapour is then condensed with the help of colder deep seawater.

Three water treatment plants using LTTD technology have been successfully opened in India at Kavaratti, Minicoy and Agatti islands in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

Each LTTD plant will be able to produce 100,000l of drinking water per day, which is supplied via the local pipe network.

The institute has submitted a detailed report for the project to be reviewed by the Lakshadweep Administration.