HomeMy WebLinkAboutMunicipal Water System Saline Water Conversion 1958 SALINE WATER CONVERSION
REPORT FOR 1958
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
FRED A. SEATON, SECRETARY
FRED G. AANDAHL, ASSISTANT•SECRETARY
FOR WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT
DAVID S. JENKINS, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF SALINE WATER
JANUARY 1959
QP���ENT OF Tye'
W ti� UNITED STATES
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Kh3 '�"° WASNINGTON 25, D. C.
January 28, 1959
Dear Mr. President:
Operations of the. Department of the .Interior during Fiscal
Year 1958 under the Saline Water Act of 1952 (Public Law '448, 82nd
Congress-, 2nd•Session,.as- amended) are summarized in this-letter
which is my report required .by the Act. More detailed information'
is given in .the .'!Saline Water. Conversion.Report •for 1958" of the
Director of the.Office of Saline Water.
Recognizing the urgency of augmenting the .supply-of.fresh
water to meet the demands of the expanding population, industry,
and agriculture of the United States, Congress enacted S - J. Res•:
135, which became Public Law.85.-883, _on September 2, 1958.- This
new legislation authorizes the construction and -operation of not
less than.five demonstration plants to test several of .the more
advanced' saline water conversion processes: The measure', - as' amended
and-,reported -to-:the House, and.as .it was finally enacted, was sup-
ported.by the Department.
The demonstration plant program will complement the present.
program,and .will be -administered by -the Office of Saline_ Water.
Continued emphasis will be placed on the research and development.
work in order...to. assure orderly .progress toward practical and'
economical saline water conversion..-..-
Ten million dollars was authorized for -the -construction of
the five -demonstration plants plus such additional sums. a.s will
be required' for their -operation: Three are to be sea-.wa.ter plants
and are- to be located on the west coast; east coast.; 'and gulf coast.
Capacity of at .least two of. these ,plants is to be not less than one
million gallons per .day of fresh water. The remaining. two plants
are for brackish water conversion. One ,is to be located in the
Northern Great Plains and,one in..Ahe,:Southwest.. The capacity .of at
least one of these.plants. shall be not less than 250,000°,gallons
per day.'
I.plan to.select the :first:process to be tested on or before
'. March 2, 1959. The remaining four processes will be selected at
three month intervals thereafter. Site selection for each of the
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plants will follow and be dependent on the process chosen. Civic
bodies, public officials, industrial development agencies, and
private individuals have requested that plants be located in their
particular areas. Such requests have been received from Arizona.,
California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New Mexico, New York, North and South Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island,
Texas, Virginia, and Washington. A prospectus outlining six principal
conditions that will be considered in reaching a. final decision on
location, size, and type of plant has been prepared for use of those
who wish to provide such information to support their petition.
Agreements with states providing for cooperation and'partici-
pation in the research and development .a.ctivities, as well-as in the
demonstration plant program -are under negotiation.- Cooperative .
agreements have already been executed with California. and New Mexico.
The regular budget estimate for -.Fiscal Year 1959 -for.-$825,000
was submitted and appropriated. Subsequently, as a result of
recommendations made by the Secretary's Advisors-on' Saline Water
Conversion, the Department requested an' additional $530)000, of
which $345,000 was appropriated by the- Congress. The-budget reflects
the accelerated pilot plant development begun last year and supplemented
by additional funds- in -April. Funds will also be expended for addi-
tional basic research and for development of existing processes that show
promise.
Activities during the -yeas included both the initiation of '
additional research and development work and pilot-plant activities.
In the pilot plant phase, test work was continued with good results
on a Badger long-tube-vertical evaporator cycle and the Hickman rotary
distillation equipment. Additional research is being carried out on- a
smaller rotary unit. A pilot plant program on solar distillation was
initiated near Fort Orange, Florida.
A 15,000 gallon per day pilot plant using freezing as a.
separation process is being constructed by the Carrier,Corpora.tion of
Syracuse, New York. The pilot plant!as based upon successful laboratory
research and development carried out by Carrier under a. previous contract. .
A preliminary study and functional design of'a multi_stage,
flash; saline water conversion plant -that may be adaptable for "use with
nuclear heat, is being carried out by the Fluor Corporation of Whittier,
California, as a part of the cooperative program with the State of
California.. The State is sharing. the" cost of this; research and develop- .
went work. _
A program designed to develop improved large-capacity electro-
chialysis processes principally for use on brackish water was initiated
et the. Bureau of Reclamation Laboratories, Denver, Colorado. A
Netherlands T.N.O. electrodialysis unit was purchased and will be
operated in addition to the Ionics, Inc., unit developed in the United'
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States. The research on reverse osmosis and the osmionic process
together with that on the solvent extraction process has been continued
with good results. The first pha.se in research involving the use of
algae to deminera.lize saline water was completed successfully and a
second phase initiated. Several other exploratory and basic research
studies have been continued.
A far reaching importance of this program demands that we
constantly study and evaluate the procedures and developments of the
Office of Saline Water.
An independent board of consultants., expert in initiating and
directing scientific research programs, was appointed to study the
organization and procedures of the Office of Saline Water. This board
has made a number of recommendations regarding future operations, which
are being given consideration at this time.
A review of the entire saline water program, made by the House
Committee on Government Operations, resulted in a number of constructive
suggestions for augmenting and improving the program. Many of these
suggestions are being put into effect as rapidly as possible.
Several industrial and commercial concerns, and at least one
municipality are already utilizing converted sea. or brackish water.
Continued reduction of conversion costs will permit us to obtain much of
our water from the oceans in the foreseeable future, with 22 of our
states bordering on the coast containing 65% of our industry and 55% of
our population, the impact and importance of this program to the future
of our country is unmistakably clear.
With warm regards, I am
Faithfully yours,
Secretary of the Interior
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Identical letters to:
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
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FOREWORD
This annual report of progress in saline water conversion during
1958 contains information on developments during the past year only.
If more background is desired, the reader may wish to refer to the more
detailed discussions contained in the report for 1957, which summarized
the work since 1952.
During 1958 a considerable part of the activities of the Office of
Saline Water was devoted to compiling and supplying data needed for
various reviews and evaluations of the program, including extensive leg-
islative activity. A total of seven Congressional hearings were held on
various aspects of the work; the program was reviewed and evaluated by
the Advisory Committee in March; and by a select board during September -
November.
The Coordination Table appended to this report lists all known
current research and development work in the field of Saline Water,
including both that sponsored by the Department of the Interior and that
sponsored by others. Information on any work not included in this table
would be welcome.
SALINE WATER CONVERSION REPORT FOR 1958
CONTENTS
Paae
Research and Development under Office of Saline Water
Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Distillation Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Solar Distillation . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Membrane Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Freezing Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 11
Other Research and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Coordination Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . 14
Process Research and Development under other than Office
of Saline Water Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
General Surveys and Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Cooperation with States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 17
Cooperation with Federal Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Foreign Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Stimulation of Interest in Research and Development . . . . . . 22
Demonstration Plant Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 25
Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Congressional Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Fiscal Year 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
z.
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Table: A Partial List of Saline Water Research end
Development Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 36
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
UNDER OFFICE OF SALINE WATER SPONSORSHIP
Distillation Processes
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN DISTILLATION IN 1958
Project Contractor
Long-Tube-Vertical Multiple Effect Whiting Corporation and
Distillation W. L. Badger & Associates
Large Rotary Vapor Compression Battelle Memorial Institute
Distillation
Small Rotary Stills Denver Laboratories, Bureau
of Reclamation
Forced Circulation Vapor Compression B. F. Dodge
Stills A. M. Eshaya
Feasibility Studies of a Saline Water Food Machinery & Chemical Corp.
Distillation System Without Heat D. F. Othmer, Brooklyn
Exchange Surfaces Polytechnic Institute
Multi-stage Flash Distillation With Fluor Corporation
and Without Use of Nuclear
Process Heat
Fundamental Research in Scale University of Michigan
Deposition and Prevention Research Institute
Long-Tube-Vertical Multiple Effect Distillation. A long-tube-vertical
(LTV) test facility at the International Nickel Company Test Station,
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, which was erected in November 1957, has
permitted experimentation during the past year over a wide range of vari-
ables which would be found in a multiple-effect sea-water plant. It has
been used not only to provide data for a large sea-water distillation plant
but also to study various scale-prevention techniques, and is adapted also
for use in determining the corrosive effects of sea water. The test program
is being carried out by the Whiting Corporation and W. L. Badger and
Associates, Inc., under a contract with the Office of Saline Water.
• The objective of the contract is to reduce the cost of saline water
.conversion by the use of long-vertical-tube, multiple-effect evaporators
using proposed techniques that will prevent scale and control corrosion.
The test facility consists of two forced circulation (FC) evaporators
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connected to a small long-vertical-tube evaporator. The FC evaporators are
used to concentrate the sea water to any desired concentration and to pre-
pare the sludge for the scale-control tests. The experimental work is
carried out in the long vertical tube evaporator consisting of seven
2-inch-diameter tubes, each 24 feet long, in a single shell. The seven
tubes are of different materials to provide comparative corrosion studies.
The test facility is designed so that the residence time of the feed water
in the evaporators is of the order of a minute or two so that the advantages
of high-velocity feed water for both heat transfer and anti-scaling effects '
can be determined. The facility is equipped with a filtering section to be
used in the sludge tests, since it is necessary to extract the sludge from
the blowdown for reuse in the system.
Heat transfer data have been obtained for both rising and falling film
conditions over a range of temperatures that would be met in practice. Two
methods have been worked out for controlling calcium-carbonate scale. The
first requires the use of acid to prevent scale. This has been successful
and proper pH control has been worked out to prevent corrosive conditions
from developing in the evaporator. The second method requires the use of
a calcium-carbonate sludge. The theory of this method is that calcium
carbonate in solution that is on the verge of precipitating from the sea-
water feed will deposit upon its own kind rather than upon the metallic
surface of the evaporator tubes. This method is known as the "internal
stabilization techniquell and has been successfully used for the control of
both calcium-carbonate and magnesium-hydroxide scales. Exploratory work
for the control of calcium-sulphate scale in the LTV evaporator by this
method is under investigation.
Some corrosion information has been obtained from the many experimental
tests made during the past year, but at least one continuous 1,000-hour test
will be required before the method of controlling corrosion, proposed by
Badger, can be confirmed.
Large Rotary Vapor Compression Distillation. Two vapor-compression,
rotary-distillation units known as the No. 4 and the No. 5 Hickman Stills
were manufactured and tested by the Badger Manufacturing Company of
Cambridge, Massachusetts, under an earlier contract with the Office of
Saline Water. At the conclusion of that contract, the No. 4 Still, a
single-rotor unit, was shipped to the laboratory of the Battelle Memorial
Institute in Columbus, Ohio, for further research and 'development. The
No. 5 Still, a multi-rotor unit, was shipped to Wrightsville Beach, North
Carolina, and is located on the premises of the International Nickel Company
Marine Test Station. Battelle Memorial Institute is conducting the program
to test the unit on natural sea water.
The objectives of the contract with the Battelle Memorial Institute
are to further develop the potentialities of the Hickman rotary, vapor-
compression still. During the past year many important parameters have
been investigated and the basic factors affecting the improvement of the
Hickman process are better known. Research on the No. 4 Still has shown
that a distribution of the sea water on the rapidly rotating heat transfer
surface could be improved and work is under way on this problem. The
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solution of this problem will provide valuable information on the phenomenon
of ebullition from a moving surface and will determine the future designs
of the Hickman still. The field work with the No. 5 Still has shown that
not only scale, but more particularly erosion and corrosion, are problems
which require further investigation. Other factors such as mechanical and
process reliability, maintenance, and operational requirements have been
evaluated.
Dr. K. C. D. Hickman, the inventor of the rotary still, has been
retained as a consultant to the Office of Saline Water on the continuing
program for the investigation of the Hickman process. Two reports describ-
ing the work on the Hickman stills have been published by the Office of
Saline Water.
Small Rotary Stills. The Denver Laboratories of the Bureau of
Reclamation completed their drawings and specifications during 1958 for a
small rotary vapor-compression still, based on a conception of Mr. R. E.
Glover of the Laboratories and a contract for its fabrication was awarded
to The Mechanical Equipment Company of New Orleans, Louisiana.
In this type of rotary still it is proposed to incorporate the blower
into the spinning disc arrangement in order to eliminate the need. for a
separate compressor. A number of rotors could be mounted on the same shaft
and rotated in a common chamber without departing from the spirit of the
suggested improvement. A patent on the Glover system has been applied for.
Forced-Circulation Vapor Compression Stills. The economic evaluation
of saline water conversion by means of forced-circulation vapor-compression
distillation was performed under a contract with B. F. Dodge (Yale Univer-
sity) and A. M. Eshaya. The objective of the contract was to determine
whether further work on the forced-circulation and dropwise-condensation
vapor-compression evaporator is desirable. This process is a vapor-
compression cycle in which the brine is in forced circulation within the
tubes and the steam condenses in a dropwise manner on the outside of the
tubes. A study has been made to determine the optimum combination of the
important variables. Dodge and Eshaya found that experimental and
theoretical evidence supports the view that dropwise condensation and
forced circulation will result in increasing the over-all heat-transfer
coefficient in industrial distillation equipment by a factor of .three to
four over coefficients in present-day equipment. Forced circulation is
expected to bring about an additional improvement by retarding and possibly
eliminating scale formation. A further improvement in this direction may
be expected from flashing the liquid in a separate chamber and not in the
heat exchanger. A cycle incorporating forced circulation, dropwise con-
densation, and the use of a flash chamber has been investigated and the
optimum combination of the important variables for such a cycle have been
determined. Cost estimates were prepared to indicate the possible promise
of the proposed cycle. Dodge and Eshaya conclude that intensive research
and development to develop forced-circulation dropwise-condensation
techniques is justified based on results to date. A Progress Report has
been published by the Office of Saline Water covering the work under the
contract.
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Feasibility Studies of a Saline Water Distillation System Without Heat
Exchange Surfaces. A small study was initiated by the Office of Saline
Water in order to analyze the technical feasibility of developing a saline
water distillation system without metallic heat exchange or phase barriers.
The development of such a system might enable reductions in capital and
maintenance costs while at the same time permitting the attainment of high
thermal efficiencies.
Both Dr. D. F. Othmer and Food Machinery & Chemical Corporation
independently conceived and proposed the suggested evaporator cycle to the
Office of Saline Water. In addition, the Corporation suggested the use of
a liquid-liquid-liquid heat exchanger as an integral part of the proposed
system.
Therefore complementary feasibility studies were contracted for with
both Dr. Othmer and Food Machinery & Chemical Corporation. Initially
Dr. Othmer is concentrating on a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the
operating variables of the "vapor reheat flash evaporation system". The
Corporation is concentrating on the heat exchanger aspects of this system
with both contractors keeping each other closely advised. If the system
is determined potentially practical, small-scale experiments on laboratory
equipment will commence early in 1959.
Multistage Flash Distillation With and Without Use of Nuclear Process
Heat. During 1958 the Fluor Corporation, Whittier, California, completed
an initial feasibility study of the economic and technical possibilities
for combining process steam nuclear reactors with selected evaporator
systems. The Reactor Development Division of the Atomic Energy Commission
provided consultant assistance on the nuclear aspects of the investigation.
The results of the first year of study were published as Office of
Saline Water Research and Development Progress Report No. 19. This report
concludes that both light-water and heavy-water reactors, if developed for
this particular application, show promise of producing steam at reasonable
cost, and that both the long-tube-vertical multiple-effect and flash multi-
stage systems, or combinations of the two, could use nuclear developed
steam to produce converted water at between $0.50 to $0.75 per 1,000 gallons
in multimillion gallon plant installations.
As a result of these conclusions, a second stage of this study effort
was also initiated in 1958. This consists of a definitive design and cost
estimate of a large 350 thermal megawatt light-water reactor which would
create sufficient low-temperature steam to produce over 20 million gallons
per day of distilled water in a multistage flash distiller of advanced
design. In addition, a conceptual design of a smaller pilot plant is also
being developed based on the problems involved in the large plant design.
The Department of Water Resources of the State of California is
contributing up to 40 percent of the cost of the present Fluor study.
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Fundamental Research in Scale Deposition and Prevention. The formation
of scale deposits in distillation equipment, and in some instances, electro-
dialysis equipment, is a serious problem, and it is important that methods
for eliminating scale be developed. Consequently both fundamental and
applied research aimed at attaining a better understanding of scale forma-
tion and in developing means of alleviating or controlling it has been
initiated.
• A fundamental study on factors affecting scale deposition was begun in
1957, and the first phase of that work, consisting of a review and critical
evaluation of all available data on scale formation, was completed in 1958.
The results indicated a great lack of quantitative data on the mechanism of
scale deposition.
The second phase of this study, a laboratory investigation of the basic
factors affecting scale deposition on heated surfaces, was initiated late in
1958 by the University of Michigan Research Institute. The first part of
this work involves studies with simple aqueous systems and will embrace
studies on the amount of super-saturation required before scaling occurs
and the effect of such factors as velocity, temperature, surface, and
presence of crystals on scale deposition. The layout of the test equipment
and instrumentation has been designed and some of the equipment has been
assembled. In addition, a theoretical study of temperature profiles and
temperature gradients in a test section has been completed. Work is prog-
ressing satisfactorily and it is anticipated that the results eventually
may permit the development of more economical means of scale prevention.
Solar Distillation
Distillation by means of solar heat has the advantage of eliminating
the cost of the fuel energy otherwise required. The diffuse nature of
solar energy, however, makes necessary the use of large areas for collec-
tion. The major problem in solar distillation is reduction of equipment
costs. Research on solar stills having that objective, as well as the
objective of increasing efficiency, has been continued. During the year
a comprehensive testing and development program on solar stills was
initiated. Prototypes of various existing and improved designs are being
installed for further development at a central seashore test station near
Port Orange, Florida. It is anticipated that the program will result in
engineering designs and specifications for practical small units and will
point the way for future solar-distillation plants of much larger capacity.
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOLAR DISTILLATION IN 1958
Project Contractor
Solar Still Test Program Battelle Memorial Institute
Hydrophilic Surfaces on Plastics
Films for Solar Stills Franklin Institute
Solar Energy Applications New Mexico Highlands University
Plastics for Solar Stills Bjorksten Research Laboratories, Inc.
Development of Solar Stills New York University (Telkes)
Plastic Solar Stills E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co.,
Inc. (Cooperative agreement)
The research and development work in Florida is being carried out
through contract with Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio. Both
shallow and deep-basin stills have been chosen for evaluation. The first
pilot plant to be constructed is of Lof design. It is a deep-basin still
with a 2500 square foot area. In evaluating the performance of the deep-
basin still, Battelle is making considerable effort to identify the various
sources of heat losses. Instrumentation has received much attention. It is
expected that the study of heat balances will provide a measure of the effi-
ciency of the still and will lead to methods of improving designs and
operations.
The next two prototypes being built will make extensive use of plastics
and are of designs proposed by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co. DuPont has
continued its cooperation with the Office and is supplying the plastics
materials for both a 2500 square-foot still using weatherable Mylar as the
cover material and a 500 square foot still using Type R film. Both Bjorksten
Laboratories and New York University (Dr. Maria Telkes) have contracts to pro-
vide designs of prototype stills of several experimentsl types which can be
used for the building of additional prototypes at the Florida site.
A contract was recently executed with Franklin Institute, Philadelphia,
the objective of which is to develop means of producing hydrophilic surfaces
.on plastics films for use as a transparent cover for condensing surfaces on
solar stills. The production rate of solar stills having such plastics films
is much reduced unless the condensing surfaces are completely wettable. An
inexpensive surface treatment which would provide a long-lasting wettable
surface would greatly enhance the economic feasibility of solar stills.
Another recent contract is with new Mexico Highlands University, Las
Vegas, New Mexiso. The objective of this contract is to improve methods of
-saline water conversion by investigating possible new means of utilizing
solar energy.
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Membrane Processes
One,,-.of the primary limiting factors in the use of membrane processes
has been',the membranes themselves. Consequently some limited fundamental
research investigations, aimed at improving the selectivity, conductance,
durability, and other characteristics of ion selective membranes, and the
flow rate and durability of osmotic membranes, have been supported by the
Office of Saline Water. These investigations, coupled with independent
research carried on by industrial firms both here and abroad, have resulted
in definite improvements in certain characteristics of ion-selective mem-
branes and a decided reduction in cost per unit area of membrane.
Membrane research is important, but increased emphasis is also needed
on the investigation of the application of the membranes in equipment and
the development of cell designs, particularly in the case of electrodialy-
sis. Hence the initial phases of a development program in electrodialysis
is under way in the Bureau of Reclamation Laboratories, Denver, Colorado.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MEMBRANE PROCESSES IN 1958
Ion-selective Membranes) Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute
Membrane Evaluation )
Reverse Osmosis University of Florida
Osmionic Southern Research Institute
Porous Conductors & Membranes University of Oklahoma
Transport Depletion H. G. Deming
Biological Membranes Resources Research Inc.
Electrodialysis Design Denver Laboratories
and Development Bureau of Reclamation
Ion-selective Membranes National Bureau of Standards
Membrane Research. Research on ion-selective and ion-specific mem-
branes was continued during the year with emphasis being placed on the
development of a sulfate membrane. Such a membrane would transport the
sulfate ion selectively over other ions normally present in saline water,
such as chloride and bicarbonate ions. Utilization of such a membrane in
conjunction with a conversion process affected by scale deposition might
benefit the process sufficiently to reduce materially the total cost of
conversion. Heterogeneous membranes of the weak base polyamine type, the
benzidine type, and ortho-phenylenediamine type were prepared and are now
being characterized and evaluated.
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The National Bureau of Standards has continued work on the preparation
of ion-selective membranes and the investigation of their fundamental elec-
trochemical properties. The work has been directed toward the refinement
of membrane characterization techniques. A detailed experimental adaptation
of some modern theoretical treatments of membrane phenomena from the stand-
point of steady-state thermodynamics was -embodied in an apparatus of
refined design. Although the apparatus functioned properly during the
course of several experiments, it proved to be entirely too delicate for
routine laboratory use. A more rugged apparatus has been constructed and
is being used for the characterization of several representative membrane
materials.
This refinement of membrane characterization techniques is directed
toward two goals. First, it is hoped that a more fundamental basis for the
interpretation of membrane performance in terms of structure can be devel-
oped. Second, it is hoped that a general standard set of characterization
parameters can be selected so that the performance of a membrane can be
predicted for not only the simple electrodialysis process, but also for the
reverse-osmosis process and the osmionic process with the additional possi-
bility that the parameters will also prove useful in the developments of
new processes involving some features of each of the three "pure" processes.
In the present investigation the principle need for an improved
characterization technique has been in connection with the investigation
of laminated, fluid-center membranes consisting of two sheets of a water
permeable film, e.g., cellophane, separated by a solution of a high molec-
ular weight linear polyelectrolyte. Preliminary experiments have indi-
cated that they may be particularly adapted to a combined electrodialysis
and reverse-osmosis mode of operation. Current work is directed toward
evaluating this possibility.
Electrodialysis. Electrodialysis is one of the leading methods for
the economical demineralization of brackish waters. The Office of Saline
Water has carried out a general program of research and development in
electrodialysis at the Denver Laboratories of the Bureau of Reclamation.
A four-stack electrodialysis demineralizer unit, made by Ionics, Inc.,
was first field tested, and then moved to the Denver Laboratories for
use in testing membrane life and durability. Although membrane improve-
ment was of prime interest at that time, membrane characteristics and
the assembly of test equipment were evaluated also.
During the current year increased emphasis was placed on the
actual cell designs in addition to membrane characteristics. An electro-
dialysis development program was initiated at the Bureau of Reclamation
Laboratories having as its immediate objective the testing and evaluation
of existing electrodialysis units and membranes and the study of possible
improvements in the process. Work has been started on improved cell
designs. Cooperation with industrial and all other agencies active in
electrodialysis will be maintained.
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In addition to the Ionics demineralizer, two units have been obtained
from the Central Technical Institute, T.N.O., in the Netherlands. These
consist of a small unit for special laboratory tests and a large unit
having 400 cell pairs (800 membranes 16!' x 40") . The large unit was
obtained .because of the special features in its hydraulic system and cell
design. Membranes for the unit are being obtained from American firms;
namely, the American Machine and Foundry Company and the National Aluminate
Company. This unit was received late in 1958 and completion of assembly and
installation is expected early in 1959.
The present success of the electrodialysis process is due primarily to
the relatively recent development of ion-selective low-resistance ion-
permeable membranes. In order to develop the electrodialysis process prop-
erly•it is essential that all available membranes be critically and exhaus-
tively evaluated. As an integral part of the Denver program, a contract
with the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn was executed in October 1958,
having as its principal objectives the determination of specific physical
and chemical characteristics and evaluation of commercially available and
newly developed permselective membranes. This investigation will include
determination of such factors as the electrical resistivity, concentration
potential, dimensional stability, and transport number. A membrane labo-
ratory test manual describing in detail all the tests used in the evaluation
of the membranes will be prepared.
Osmionisis. The work at Southern Research Institute on the development,
construction, and testing of osmionic demineralizers has continued during
this period and a small laboratory demineralizer has been constructed and
tested. The results obtained indicated that the design equations predicted
performance adequately.
A clamp-membrane stack containing 20 double-effect cells recently has
been assembled and is being tested. The membranes in the clamp-membrane
stack are 4 inches x 30 inches and the average distance between membranes
is 0.028 inch. The primary purpose of the 20-cell stack is to check the
design and components of the stack prior to fabrication of an 80-cell unit.
The small unit will have a capacity of about 0.8 gal/hr. Under similar
conditions, the 80-cell unit will have a capacity of approximately 5 gal/hr.
Preliminary cost estimates were prepared for the osmionic process based
on commercial plants of different capacities demineralizing water containing
2,000 to 3,500 ppm dissolved solids. Membrane cost of 60 cents and $1.00
per square foot for both double-effect and triple-effect cells were assumed.
The cost studies indicated that the osmionic process may be economically
feasible under favorable geographic and membrane-cost conditions. Current
investigations will provide a sounder basis for later cost studies.
Porous Conductors and Membranes. The investigation of adsorptivity
of porous conductors and their use in saline water demineralization was
continued during 1958. The soundness of the principle was demonstrated in
the first year's work and a primitive demineralization cell was constructed
and operated. That cell contained graphite electrodes separated by anion-
9
selective membranes. On concentrations up to 0.01 normal saline solutions,
the cell gave fairly complete demineralization. The membrane was made
necessary because no suitable anion-responsive electrodes could be found.
Consequently during this period emphasis was placed on the development of
anion-responsive electrodes and to the improvement of the demineralization
capacity of the present cation-responsive electrodes. The results have
established the fact that electrically controlled adsorption-desorption
gives a technically feasible demineralization process.
Current work includes studies on such materials as graphite-ion exchange
resin mixtures. Dacron felt, sulfonation of graphite, and carbon electrode
materials other than graphite.
Transport Depletion. In the purification of saline water by ion-
selective membranes, the membranes interposed across the path of the current
through every membrane stack or cell are alternately cation-selective and
anion-selective. "Transport depletion" is a variant of this general practice.
Its distinctive feature is that the membranes or controls are all of the same
character. With this arrangement there is depletion of the solution at one
surface of each membrane and enrichment at the other surface. Between each
pair of successive membranes or controls in the cell is a depleted zone and
an enriched zone. The problem is to keep them apart and to withdraw them
separately.
This investigation, which was concluded in 1958, included studies on
cell designs, membrane properties, effect of diffusion, flow rates, and
various controls, e.g., hydrous metallic oxides, gels, liquids, etc. The
investigation was under the direction of Dr. H. G. Deming of Sarasota,
Florida.
The results indicated that transport depletion is technically feasible
and it is believed worthy of additional study.
Reverse Osmosis. The continuation of the work on reverse osmosis at
the University of Florida has been directed primarily at developing improved
ion-restraining or osmotic membranes. Previous work has shown that cellulose
acetate membranes were capable of rejecting a very high percent of the ions
of a salt solution when subjected to high pressure. The limited durability
of the membranes, associated with hydrolysis of the ester groups, prevented
their use in demineralizing saline waters. However, an investigation of
those and other membranes indicated the structural requirements of a suita-
ble membrane for this purpose. In order to obtain a high salt rejection
and flow rate, as well as extended durability, the membranes must be inert
to chemical attack by constituents of the saline solution and possess a
high concentration of hydrogen bonding sites with crosslinking at some
optimum intervals along the polymer chains.
The principle criteria for judging films are (1) salt rejection, (2)
flow rate, and (3) durability.
10
Cellulose acetate films have met the first criteria and might pass the
second, but they fail in the third. No polymer other than cellulose acetate
has been found to possess the desired salt-rejecting ability. During the
period of this investigation, however, the synthesis of polymers according
to the requirements learned from the experiments on cellulose acetate has
resulted in the preparation of a few durable films of high salt-rejecting
ability. The flow rate, however, was low and variations of the film to
increase it led to low salt rejection. Thus cellulose acetate may meet
criteria (1) and (2) ; while the new polymer can meet either (1) and (3) or
(2) and (3), but no film has met all three to date.
Biological Membranes (Algae) . The initial phase of the evaluation of
the use of algae in sea-water conversion consisted of a literature survey.
The survey did not uncover pertinent information on the salt uptake of
marine algae and it was necessary, therefore, to undertake fundamental
research in a virgin area, namely, the selection of various types of algae
whose characteristics are favorable for the use intended. Over 100 differ-
ent species of marine algae have been cultured to date and several of those
developed from moderately dense to dense cultures within 24 hours. Analyses
of .the various solutions for sodium and chloride uptake are now under way.
Of .the number analyzed to date, about four to six different species have
been found to accumulate sodium ions. The present work is continuing and
has as its primary objectives (1) the search for additional species of algae
with higher salt-concentrating powers, (2) the search for means to increase
the effect, and (3) the study of means by which selected species of algae
can be made to secrete the absorbed salt.
Freezing; Processes
Theoretically, if ice frozen from salt solution is washed free of salt
and then melted, fresh water will be obtained. Unfortunately, freeing the
ice of salt has been difficult to do because the ice occludes or entraps
brine between the interstices of the crystallite forms. This problem, how-
ever, has been overcome within the past two years. Along with the develop-
ment of more efficient counter-current washing methods, freezing the brine
directly by evaporation has been demonstrated to be technically feasible.
The inherent advantages of a freezing process indicate that such a method
when completely developed should be able to compete economically with the
developments in the distillation field.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN FREEZING IN 1958
Project Contractor
Direct Freezing Process Carrier Corporation
Direct Freezing-Secondary Refrigerant Cornell University (Wiegandt)
Zone-Purification Battelle Memorial Institute
11
Direct Freezing-Process. One of the more promising freezing methods
investigated under contract is that developed by Carrier Corporation which
utilizes the direct-freeze, counter-current-washing separation process.
Refregeration is accomplished by mechanical compression or absorption of
water vapor, or a combination of both. Continuous production at rates of
50 to 100 pounds of ice per hour has been realized. Although the economics
of the direct-freeze separation process appear promising, current cost
estimates must be verified by larger-scale operations. Present results
indicate that by good design, efficient operation, and low maintenance, the
costs for freezing processes may ultimately be reduced to the order $0.50
to $1.00 per 1000 gallons.
In order to obtain a more valid economic and technical appraisal of
the process, the Carrier Corporation is designing a 15,000 gpd pilot plant,
which they propose to assemble and erect for complete evaluation. This
phase of the program will permit the necessary experimental work for deter-
mining optimum conditions of operation, maximum production capacities, and
additional economies which can be realized in large-scale production units.
Zone Freezing. Initial phases of the research by Battelle Memorial
Institute on the possibilities of adapting the zone purification process
for salt-water conversion were completed. After a technically feasible
process was investigated, a preliminary estimate indicated costs in a
range of $3.00 to $7.00 per thousand gallons. As a result, the National
Science Foundation was requested to consider the support of the additional
basic research proposed by Battelle. Battelle also planned to carry out a
detailed engineering evaluation on the basis of experimental data now avail-
able. In addition, it intends, by means of small-scale experiments, to
explore possible improvements and process designs that might be indicated
by the further analysis and evaluation. The objective would be to uncover
possible methods for bringing the zone-purification process into a more
promising cost range. Fund limitations have made it advisable to postpone
this additional work until the next fiscal year.
Direct Freezing - Secondary Refrigerant. Another approach to the
problem of saline-water conversion by the. freezing process is now in progress
at Cornell University under the direction of Professor H. F. Wiegandt.
This is the investigation of the refrigeration cycle in which an immiscible
refrigerant, such as butane or isobutane is vaporized in direct contact
with salt water. The butane vapor and ice crystals rise to the top of the
salt solution: The butane gas is withdrawn and compressed and the heat of
compression is utilized to melt the ice after the ice has been washed free
of salt.
Although considerable progress has been made, further development of
the freezing process is anticipated. Recently, proposals have been received
suggesting methods for improving the efficiency of the direct freeze cycle
and for scaling-up equipment for commercial operations. The increased
interest in freezing is expected to stimulate additional investigations
leading to the development of a low-cost desalination process.
12
Other Research and Developrnent
The investigation of the desalinization of saline waters by use of
organic solvents was continued by the Texas A&M Research Foundation under
a new contract. Emphasis was placed on the search for more efficient com-
pounds and operation of a laboratory model, particularly on brackish waters.
The next step in the process development will probably be the design, con-
struction, and testing of a small pilot plant for brackish water treatment
in order to obtain further information on possible economic feasibility of
the process.
A small exploratory research investigation having as its objective a
feasibility study of the possibility of utilizing ultra-high frequency
electrical fields as a means of demineralizing saline water was completed
during this period at the Alpine Laboratories, Ltd., Colorado Springs,
Colorado. Many tests were run on samples of synthetic saline water (3.5%
sodium chloride) and on samples from Great Salt Lake. Under the conditions
of the experiments, however, no reduction in salt content was noted.
An investigation calling for an exploration and evaluation of the
following ideas as a possible means of desalinization was initiated at the
Applied Science Laboratories, Inc., under the direction of Dr. Arthur Rose;
(a) hydrocarbon hydrate formation; (b) use of chelation in demineralization;
(c) use of ion retardation resins; and (d) utilization of the energy in the
concentrated waste brine produced in any demineralization process.
13
COORDINATION ACTIVITIES
The Saline Water Conversion Program is presently a cooperative
endeavor with private and governmental groups. The Saline Water Act
provides that the functions of the program are to include cooperation
with other agencies and the correlation and coordination of activities
in this field. Therefore, in addition to the program of contract
research, the stimulation of effort by others to obtain the objectives
of low-cost conversion has been a. basic purpose.
In accordance with these objectives the Office of Saline Water has
performed various functions generally termed the coordination activities
of the program, included among which are the following: Cooperation,
with State and Federal as well as foreign agencies interested in conver-
sion; reviewing work of others in this field and correlation of this work
with that of the Office of Saline Water; supplying many requests for
information on the subject; the soliciting new ideas for conversion from
all interested parties and the stimulation of interest in presenting new
methods of conversion to the program; publishing progress reports that
cover the results of contract research; preparing technical papers for
scientific meetings; and conducting special surveys and studies closely
related to the development of processes. Each year the Office of Saline
Water has prepared a summary tabulation listing all known activity both
in this country and other parts of the world in saline water conversion
research and development. A list of these activities is included in. the
Appendix.
Process Research and Development under Other than Office of Saline
Water Sponsorship
A brief summary of all known research and development activity on
saline water conversion processes throughout the world is presented in
.the Appendix. Although the process investigations conducted by the Office
of Saline Water have already been discussed, they are listed in the table
to \complete the summary. Although the following paragraphs review work
sponsored by others, the research at the University of California. has for
convenience been included under Cooperation with States and the reader is
referred to that section for information on the work at the University.
Distillation. Several commercial organizations both in this country
and abroad have continued their development of improved distillation
processes and equipments of all sizes. In addition, large multi-million
- gallon per day plants are being constructed or bid on in places like
Nassau, Curacao, and Kuwait. Each of those plants will have individual
characteristics as the competing companies strive to develop lower cost
and more efficient equipments.
14
The United States and British Navies also continue in their testing
and development of improved distillation techniques. Work of that nature
is being conducted by the Naval Engineering and Experiment Sta.tion,
Annapolis, Md. , Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, Port Hueneme, Cali-
fornia., and British Admiralty Materials Laboratories, Poole, Dorchester,
England, and a. light weight military distillation unit is being developed
by the U. S. Army, ERDL, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. These activities are
summarized in the Coordina.tion Table at the end of this report.
Solar Distillation. The use of solar stills for desalinization pur-
poses continues to a.ttra.ct interest in many parts of the world. In
Algeria., Mr. C. Gomella of the Society for the Study and Treatment of Water
is actively engaged in research and development. Plans are being made for
experimental operation of solar stills that will provide the best and
cheapest method for employing local labor and materials. Interest in desal-
inization of saline waters by solar distilla.tion continues also in Morocco,
under the direction of Mr. Robert P. Ambrooge, and in other parts of North
Africa.
In Australia., the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organization ha.s sponsored development of solar stills to meet local
requirements, and a number of small solar stills are in use. Also, a solar
still wa.s designed for use in certain a.rea.s of the Antarctic.
In Spain, the National Commission of Special Energies ha.s begun
studies on solar distillation. Dupont has supplied tha.t organization with
plastics materials for experimental work. Dupont is also supplying exper-
imental pla.stics to the National Physical Laboratory of Israel. This lab-
oratory has been developing solar collectors of several types.
Professor Georgio Nebbia. of the University of Bologna in Italy is
continuing his experiments with solar stills.
In Russia. solar distillation has been under study in various labora-
tories associated with the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. Considera-
tion has been given to several types of stills; for example: the simple box
type, inclined roof type, those using mirrors for concentrating sun rays,
and combinations of solar water hea.ters with solar stills.
In the United States, a. number of groups axe continuing their
activities in the field of solar energy utilization. The Associa.tion for
Applied Solar Energy with hea.dquaxters in Phoenix, Arizona, continues to
assemble pertinent information and publications. The Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology a.nd the Universities of Wisconsin and Florida. are
studying the broad field of solar energy utiliza.tion, although this is not
a major project with these institutions. The University of California is
studying solar stills as one of its research and development activities in
its sea-water conversion program.
Membrane Processes. In the United Sta.tes a number of commercial and
research organizations are conducting resea.rch and development in electro-
dialysis. Among the commercial firms are Ionics, Inc., National Alumina.te
15
Company (Nalco), American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF), and the
Permutit Company. The Ionics, Inc, has conducted further work on membranes
and unit designs and reports additional plant installations both in this
country and abroad, including one at Coalinga, California., where a local
shortage of fresh water is being met by electrodialysis treatment of
brackish sources as an alternate to more costly transportation of water
from distant sources.
In the membrane field, the National Aluminate Company has conducted
considerable membrane development and in 1957 announced that it was offer-
ing membranes at approximately $1.00 per square foot in lots of 5,000
square feet or more. The American Machine and Foundry Company has fur-
thered its membrane developments during the current year and is utilizing
a. radiation grafting technique to produce the desired ion exchange proper-
ties.
The Texas Electric Service Company is continuing a. development program
in electrodialysis in cooperation with Texas Christian University seeking
to improve the design and economics of the process.
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology reports development
and testing of a laboratory electrodialysis unit utilizing relatively low
voltages and current densities. The purpose of the work is to develop
small units for possible use in homes or on ranches in arid areas.
The large electrodialysis unit in South Africa. (2,400,000 gpd) devel-
oped by the SACSIR and the Gold Mining interests for use in demineralizing
brackish gold mining waters has been under construction during the year
and it is understood that the plant will soon be completed.
In Japan the interests in electrodialysis concerns largely its use
in salt manufacture rather than fresh water production. The work has
resulted, however, in the development of both membranes and cells for
this purpose, some of which may be applicable to saline water conversion
research. It is indicated that. the work is in the advance development
stages rather than in the marketing phase. The Asahi Chemical Industry
Company, Ltd. and the Asa.hi Glass Company, Ltd. are active in this work.
Freezing Processes. In Japan there has been interest in., the
demineralization of sea water, not so much to obtain fresh water as to
extract salt. Research has been conducted on va.cuum freezing processes
using continuous centrifugal separator for ice removal.
In France, Trepand, Inc., has been making ice from sea water for use
in fish preservation. This company was reported to have plans for a sea-
water conversion plant using an adaptation of the ice production process;
however, no further information has become available.
In Israel, the freeze-evaporation process (Za.rchin system) is
reported to-be under investigation. In Jugosla.via., the Meta.11urski Insti-
tut has conducted experimental work based on the freezing principle.
Although efforts have been made to learn more about these developments, it
has not been possible to obtain detailed information.
16
General Surveys and Studies
A number of surveys and studies closely related to the research and
development on conversion processes has been conducted during the Program
and are reviewed in some detail in the previous Annual Report: These
activities have included: (1) an inventory of published and unpublished
information on the characteristics of the saline waters of South Dakota,
(2) survey of the potential needs for converted water for irrigation in
Texas and California, (3) an analysis of the minimum thermodynamic energy
requirements for conversion processes, (4) a study of the disposal of
waste brine residues, and (5) a study of the availability of geothermal
energy for conversion processes.
U. S. Geological Survey - Saline Water Studies. The Geological Survey
under its own program is conducting studies of the nation's saline water
resources. The Survey has prepared a generalized overall report for the
United States and has begun a. study of saline water sources in several
states. Publications to date include Water-Supply Paper No. 1374, "Pre-
liminaxy Survey of the Saline Water Resources of the United States," by
R. A. Krieger, J. L. Hatchett, and J. L. Poole; Water Supply Paper
No. 1365, "Saline Water Resources of Texas," by A. C. Winslow and L. R.
Kister, and Water Supply Paper No. 1428, "Saline Water Resources of North
Dakota," by C. J. Robinove, R. H. Langford, and J. W. Brookhart. These
reports are based on available information and not on field studies ini-
tiated specifically to obtain the' data. The Geological Survey is contin-
uing studies of a similar nature on New Mexico and Oklahoma..
Saline Water Laboratory. Although much progress has been made in the
development of conversion processes since the Office of Saline Water was
established, additional effort and facilities are required to carry the
processes now under development to a practical stage. Present facilities
are not adequate for field testing either small pilot plants, or ideas for
new processes; in addition, process components must be improved by labora-
tory research if complete system costs are to be reduced.
The Technical Research Group, Inc. , New York City, as consultants to
the Office of Saline Water, were asked to study and report on the "Problems
Related to Establishment of a. Laboratory for Research in Deminera.lization of
Saline Water." They report that an adequate facility could be provided for
approximately $2,000,000, and should be staffed and operated at an annual
rate of approximately $1,275,000, This matter is being given further serious
consideration.
Cooperation with States
Under the Act of 1952, the Department of the Interior has welcomed
state and local cooperation covering either joint financial contributions
or that involving only the exchange of information and other cooperation.
Cooperation with many of the states has been carried out on an informal
basis. However, two States have entered into formal agreements with the
Department and several others have similar agreements under consideration.
17
The recently authorized demonstration plant program has made even greater
cooperation with the states desirable. California is the only state known
to be sponsoring a program of research and development on conversion
methods.
California..
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. In April 1958, a cooperative agreement for
the exchange of information and cooperation in saline water conversion was
entered into between the State of California, Department of Water Resources,
and the Department of the Interior, Office of Saline Water. The California
agreement has since been extended to include joint financial support (State
40 percent, Federal Government 60 percent) for a research and development
contract on the feasibility of utilizing nuclear energy in saline water
conversion. The State is also assisting in obtaining data on sites which
are proposed for plants under the demonstration program.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES.
Since 1952 the University of California. has sponsored a program of research
in sea. water conversion, having objectives similar to those of the Office of
Saline Water. The work has been conducted at both the Berkeley and Los
Angeles campuses. The activities have been under the direction of Everett D.
Howe, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Berkeley. Cooperation has been
maintained with the Office of Saline Water from the beginning of the work
and the activities at the University were summarized in the Saline Water
Conversion Report for 1957.
Beginning with Fiscal Year 1958, increased emphasis has been placed
on the conversion activities. Additional funds have been appropriated by
the State for use by the California Department of Water Resources; the
University has expanded its research and development work. The Department
of Water Resources, in cooperation with the University, is studying the
possible uses of nuclear energy as a. source of heat or electrical energy.
This work, which has been under the direction of Harvey 0. Banks, Director
of the Department, is primarily directed toward the collection and evaluation
of design, operation, and maintenance data. from existing and planned conver-
sion units in the United States and abroad.
Activities at the University's Berkeley-Richmond campus and the Los
Angeles campus have included work on solar distillation, vacuum flash (low
temperature difference) distillation, ion exchange, ion filtration (reverse
osmosis), solar heat storage, nuclear reactor studies, short path distilla-
tion, surface skimming, therodynamics and economic analysis, and properties
of sea water. . In addition other studies are in progress which have not yet
reached the report stage. These include vapor compression distillation,
magnetic equipment for scale prevention, centrifugal multiple-effect stills,
and additional solar still designs.
The Department of Water Resources ha-s initiated prepilot plant water
deminera.liza.tion studies for several locations in California. Processes con-
sidered have included membrane methods for brackish water conversion, vacuum
flash distillation by low temperature difference for,sea water conversion,
18
utilizing both industrial waste-heat sources and the thermal potential of
sea water in coastal submarine basins and canyons. It has been found
that the submarine canyons off the coast of California have temperature
differentials of from 150 to 250F at depths of from 2000 to 3000 feet. In
addition to the prepilot plant planning, surveys are to be made by the
Department of Water Resources of possible energy sources such as wind
power, ocean waves and tides, geothermal sources, solar radiation, and
industrial waste heat. Also surveys of brackish water availability are
being compiled from local and state sources. Economic studies made by the
Department indicate that the probable total cost of conversion must approach
$80.00 per acre foot to be useful to consumers of domestic, municipal, and
industrial water in California.
New Mexico. The State of New Mexico ha-s entered into a cooperative
agreement with the Department of the Interior for the exchange of informa-
tion and cooperation in saline water conversion. The Office of the State
Engineer will cooperate with the Office of Saline Water in obtaining data.
on sites which have been proposed by a number of New Mexico communities for
the plants authorized under Public Law 85-883.
Cooperation with Federal Agencies
In addition to the active research work sponsored by the Office of
Saline Water in Government laboratories at the Bureau of Standards and the
Denver Laboratories of the Bureau of Reclamation. Cooperation with some
joint participation in technical studies has been maintained throughout
the program with other Departments of the Government as provided by the
Saline Water Act.
Department of Defense. During this past year, the close coordination
of the Office of Saline Water and the various cognizant activities of the
Department of Defense continued. Two formal meetings were held and repre-
sentatives of the Department of Defense, Army, Air Force and Navy were
present. A thorough review was made of the activities of ea.ch organization
in the field of saline water conversion and proposals for joint research
and development projects were discussed including an investigation into the'
possible utilization of thermo-electric phenomena. for saline water distilla-
tion and basic research in scale prevention. The latter study was under-
taken independently by the Office of Saline Water as the Department of
Defense did not desire to participate.
In addition staff members of each of the above organizations have
independently discussed matters of mutual interest and have visited each
others ' developments. This exchange of information is beneficial to all
and will be continued during the next year.
Atomic Energy Commission. Cooperation with the Atomic Energy Commis-
sion was initiated under Public Law 82-448 and reemphasized under Public
Law 84-111. The results of one cooperative investigation, "Study of the
Applicability of Combining Nuclear Energy with Saline Water Distillation
Processes," were published as Office of Saline Water Progress Report No. 19.
19
A second investigation, "A Preliminary Design Study of an Optimum Nuclear
Reactor-Saline Water Evaporation Process," is now in progress.
In addition, during the past year, increasingly frequent technical
discussions have been held between staff members of both organizations.
As a result, the desirability of a cooperative arrangement for the devel-
opment of a process steam reactor by the Atomic Energy Commission for use
with future conversion plants in high-cost fuel areas, is being considered.
International Cooperation Administration. During the year specific
information was provided in response to a number of requests from ICA and
ICA Missions for information on various aspects of saline water conversion,
particularly distillation of sea water including solar distillation.
Interested areas included the Caribbean, South America, and North. Africa.
In addition, the Office of Saline Water provided information and
advice regarding the possibilities of eventually installing saline water
conversion production plants in several water-short foreign areas. OSW
staff members participated in several conferences with ICA representatives
in considering that program.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare., Close cooperation with
the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, particularly the Water
Supply and Pollution Control Program, has been maintained. In the past
,joint sponsorship on one research investigation was undertaken and it is
anticipated that other such beneficial arrangements will materialize in
the near future.
In response to specific requests from the Public Health Service, a
representative of the Office of Saline Water has reviewed the Saline Water
Conversion Program before certain groups or organizations, such as the
National Technical Task Committee on Industrial Wastes.
Personal contacts are maintained with personnel in the Health,
Education, and Welfare Washington Office and with those in the Robert A.
Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
National Science Foundation. In accordance with the cooperative
agreement between the National Science Foundation and the Department of
the Interior, a proposal for basic research which evolved as a result of
contract research on zone freezing was submitted to the NSF for considera-
tion of support.
Toward the end of the year the Office had under exploration the
possible use of foreign currencies for scientific purposes under the author-
ity contained in Section 104 (k) of the Mutual Security Act. This activity
was a part of the Department's cooperation with the NSF in establishing a
program for use of such funds.
Various detailed information was provided in response to NSF requests
in the compiling of their surveys and reports on over-all Government
research activities.
20
Foreign Activities
Unesco. The Advisory Committee on Arid Zone Research together with
the Iranian..Government sponsored the Symposium on Salinity Problems in
Arid Lands in October 1958, in Teheran, as scheduled. Included were two_.,
sessions on desalting of water at which eleven papers describing saline
water conversion research and development were presented by representa-
tives from Algeria, Italy, Morocco, The Netherlands, Union of South
Africa, United Kingdom, USSR, and the United States.
The Directory of Laboratories engaged in saline water conversion
was compiled by the UNESCO Secretariat. It is planned that- this Directory
together with the Proceedings of the Symposium will be published by UNESCO.
Future activities under the Subcommittee on Salinity Problems on
which Mr. David S. Jenkins serves as United States member are to include
periodic updating of the Directory, some studies on maximum salinity tol-
erances for drinking water under conditions encountered in arid lands,
and such symposia. as may be needed within the next few years.
Organization of European Economics Cooperation (OEEC). Most of the
formal international cooperative research established under Working Party
No. S of the OEEC has been essentially completed, as follows: The
Netherlands T.N.O. electrodialysis equipment has been developed and is
being marketed in units having capacities up to approximately 50,000
gallons per day on water of 4,000 ppm salinity. The U.K. scale prevention
research on`improvement of vapor compression distillation has been essen-
tially completed with development of data on forced circulation and
dropwise condensation promoters. The solar distillation cooperation which
was centered in Algeria, consisting of exchange of technical information, is
being continued on an informal basis.
Other Foreign Activities. Word has been received that research and
development of saline water conversion processes is being continued or
planned in a number of countries as shown in the Table of Saline Water
Research and Development Activities, (see appendix) . Among these many
developments are those on electrodialysis in the Netherlands, Union of
South Africa, Russia, England, Japan, and Israel; distillation in Great
Britain, France, Israel, the Netherlands West Indies, and Russia; freezing
in France, Yugoslavia, Israel, Russia, Italy, and Japan; solar distillation
in Spain, Morocco, Australia, Algeria, Russia, Italy, and Cuba; and others.
Information has been received from McGill University, Montreal, Canada,
that the activity under the Brace bequest consists of planning for the sub-
sequent physical research program.
21
Stimulation of Interest in Research and Development
Among the activities which serve directly to stimulate interest in
research and development on conversion and served also to further encourage .
cooperation of the various researchers both in this country and abroad was
the Symposium on Saline Water Conversion. The Symposium which was sponsored
jointly by the Office of Saline Water and the National Academy of Sciences
was held in Washington in November 1957. The Proceedings of the Symposium
containing some 45 papers was published in 1958. Inquirers concerning the
availability of this document should be addressed to the Publications
Office, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
During 1958, two consultants for the Office of Saline Water,
Dr. Luois Koenig and Dr. H. Horton Sheldon, visited the following univer-
sities in order to acquaint certain staff members of those organizations
with the objectives and accomplishments of the program and to solicit new
ideas in the form of proposals:
University of Kentucky (Lexington)
University of Cincinnati
Ohio State University (Columbus)
St. Marys University, San Antonio, Texas
University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Rice Institute, Houston, Texas
University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas
Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Technical papers were presented at scientific meetings during 1958
as follows:
Mr. David S. Jenkins, Director, Office of Saline Water discussed
"Fresh Water for Arid Lands" at the Symposium on Salinity Problems in
Arid Lands, Tehran, Iran, October 11-18, 1958.
Dr. W. S. Gillam and Mr. J. J. Strobel, of the Office of Saline
Water staff, prepared a paper, "Summary of Technical Developments in
Saline Water Conversion" for presentation at the American Chemical
Society's meeting at San Francisco, April 15, 1958. The paper was
presented by Mr. Edward A. Cadwallader.
The Princeton University Conference on Water Supply held on
January 29 and 30, was attended by Dr. W. S. Gillam, who presented
a paper on treatment of saline water.
A total of 21 research and development progress reports are now
available from the Office of Saline Water. Five of the reports were
published during 1958.
22
Demonstration.Plant Program
On September 2, PL 85-883 was enacted authorizing the construction
of demonstration plants for the production, from saline or brackish waters,
of water suitable for agricultural, industrial, municipal, and other bene-
ficial consumptive uses. A copy of that law is reproduced in the appendix
of this report. This law specifically provides that the demonstration
activity should not be in derogation of the research and development pro-
gram, thus recognizing the need for continued research and development of
lower-cost processes.
Briefly the law provides that at least five such plants shall be
constructed and test operated in a 7-year period from enactment. Three
of the plants are to be designed for the treatment of sea water and two
for brackish water. The first process for experimental demonstration is
to be selected by the Secretary of the Interior within six months after
enactment of the law and the selection of four other processes shall follow
at three month intervals thereafter.
Inquiries have been received from a number of communities expressing
their interest in having one of the authorized plants located in their
areas. As a result of this interest the Office of Saline Water has pre-
pared a preliminary site guide to be used in the collection of information
that will be needed for the consideration of the relative merits of various
locations. The information needed will generally involve the:
a. Type of process
b. Locations where water is needed
c. Availability of saline water supplies
d. Local factors affecting the proposed plant
e. Cooperation of local State and/or local agencies; and
f. Demonstration value of plant.
Cooperative arrangements have been and are being negotiated with
interested States. Whenever possible the proper cognizant State organi-
zation will be asked to assist in the selection of proposed sites and in
supporting the program.
A demonstration plant is defined, for the Public Law, as follows;
As used in this joint resolution, the term "demonstration plant" means a
plant of sufficient size and capacity to establish on a day-to-day operating
basis the optimum attainable reliability, engineering, operating, and eco-
nomic potential of the particular sea water conversion process on the
brackish water treatment process selected by the Secretary of the Interior
for utilization in such plant.
23
ADMINISTRATION
Advisors
Following enactment of the Saline Water Act in 1952, a group of
eight scientific and industrial leaders agreed to serve as Advisors to
the Secretary on saline water conversion. The Advisory Group is comprised
of the following:
Mr. J. J. Cronin, Vice President, General Motors Corporation
Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, President, California Institute of Technology
Dr. Frederick L. Hovde, President, Purdue University
Dr. George D. Humphrey, President, University of Wyoming
Dr. Louis Koenig, Louis Koenig Research
Mr. Robert Lusk, Editor-Publisher, "Huronite and Daily Plainsman"
Mr. Sheppard T. Powell, Consulting Engineer
Dr. Robert G. Sproul, President, University of California
The Advisors met on March 25, in Washington, and as a result of the
meeting made a number of recommendations to the Secretary for an expanded
program including the recommendation that additional funds be supplied for
carrying out the activities. In addition to advising the Secretary on the
broad policy aspects of the program, several members of the group have
provided direct assistance to the Office of Saline Water in technical and
other matters relating to the research and development work.
Congressional Hearings
During 1958 the Director and certain staff members of the Office of
Saline Water testified before and provided information to
(a) the House Committee on Appropriations;
(b) the Senate Committee on Appropriations for regular budgeted
amounts, and also for supplemental appropriations;
(c) the Senate Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation;
(d) the House Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation; and
(e) the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Government
Operations.
Hearings before the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation of the
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate, on S.J. R
135 and S 3370, bills pertaining to saline water conversion plants, were
held March 20 and 21, 1958. Much data and information was presented and the
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs in their Senate Report No. 1593
summarized their findings and recommended that the resolution pass.
25
The Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation, House Interior and
Insular Affairs Committee held hearings on S. J. Res 135 on July 14, 1958.
A brief summary of those hearings is contained in House Report No. 2450.
The Committee recommended enactment of Senate Joint Resolution 135, as
amended.
On September 2,. 1958, Congress enacted Public Law 85-883 (S. J. Res.
135), which provides for the construction of saline water conversion demon-
stration plants. °
On April 15, 16, 17, and 18, 1958, a Subcommittee on Governments
Operations, House of Representatives, held hearings on the Saline Water
Program. This was an exhaustive and detailed review of the entire program
and testimony was presented by the Assistant Secretary of Interior, the
Director and staff members of the Office of Saline Water, and other scien-
tists and engineers from government, universities, industry, research
organizations, and individuals. The results of that review are summarized
in House Report No. 2551 wherein a number of constructive suggestions for
augmenting and improving the program were made.
Fiscal Year 1960
With the enactment of Public Law 85-883 (S.J. Res. 135) providing for
the construction and operation ofsaline water conversion demonstration
plants, there are now two concurrent phases of the Saline Water Conversion
Program. One continues the research and development of: improved, low-cost
processes already in progress pursuant to the Saline Water Act of July 3,
1952, as amended. The other is the construction, operation, and maintenance
of not less than five saline water conversion demonstration plants pursuant
to Public Law 85-883, enacted September 2,, 1958.
Research and Development Program. The new work to be undertaken during
fiscal year 1960 depends upon results obtained in the current research and
development projects and also upon the appropriations made for the Saline
Water Conversion Program. The research and development activity can be
divided into seven major categories:
1. DEVELOPMENT OF ROTARY STILLS. Research on small rotary stills
will continue in order to develop equipment for household and similar use.
Additional field testing and further development are necessary in the large
Hickman rotary vapor compression still together with analyses of all data
in order to determine feasibility of the future application of such type
stills for large-capacity production plants.
2. OTHER DISTILLATION. Further research and development on ,
several flash distillation processes and systems are needed in order to
determine which ones are most promising. Additional research on forced-
circulation and dropwise condensation is needed as a means for improving
the vapor compression distillation cycle. There is also need for continued
testing and 'development of improved techniques and materials- on the Badger
26
long-tube vertical distillation pilot plant, both to improve the present
cycle and to assure continued -improvements in this system even after it is
advanced into the large pilot sizes of a million gallons or `more. There
is also a need for additional basic research on factors of importance to
all distillation processes including research on scale, corrosion, heat
transfer,. and use of low-cost materials such as concrete.
3. SOLAR DISTILLATION. Logical development requires continuation
and expansion of the testing and development program on solar stills initi-
ated last year at a test site near Port Orange, Florida, including design
and construction of new prototype stills for tests. In order to reduce
cost, research is essential on materials applications.
4. MEMBRANE PROCESSES. Because of the importance of electro-
dialysis in the conversion of brackish waters, expansion of electrodialysis
development program of the Bureau of Reclamation laboratories is of major
importance. The new program includes design and development of an improved
electrodialysis process and testing and evaluation of various membranes
and operation of experimental electrodialysis equipment of the two major
types commercially available. Additional development on the osmionic proc-
ess, including operation of a prototype unit, is now required for evaluation
of possibilities for pilot plant application. Additional basic and applied
research in improved membranes and on other membrane processes must be car-
ried out as a possible means of lowering costs. A final evaluation of the
osmotic process is necessary to determine its area of most practical use.
5. FREEZING PROCESSES. The possibilities for, lower conversion
costs, which have become apparent through research on methods utilizing
freezing, require a greater emphasis on the development of freezing proc-
esses. Pilot-plant operation of a freeze-evaporation system and accleration
of laboratory developments on direct freezing methods are in order. Con-
tinuation or initiation of research on other freezing systems or components
of systems with possible application to the more advanced conversion
systems utilizing freezing techniques is also needed for further improve-
ments.
6. OTHER PROCESSES, INCLUDING NUCLEAR ENERGY COMBINATION. Research
is needed on elements of proposed combination multiple purpose plants
utilizing nuclear energy, as an adjunct to design and engineering. Operation
of a small pilot plant for brackish water conversion based on the solvent
extraction process is planned in continuation of its evaluation for practical
use. Continuation of applied research on other solvent extraction possi-
bilities may lead to further improvement.
7. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH, SURVEYS, AND EVALUATIONS. Support of
basic and exploratory research on new ideas presented is essential in
order to point the way to possible new conversion processes with greater
economic promise than those that are being developed so far.
27
As a result of limited basic and exploratory research- of this kind,
two new conversion methods have been developed from a scientific principle
or idea up to the pilot plant stage. Additional. fundamental information
is needed on potential processes, properties of saline solutions, corrosion,
membranes, hydration and other physical and chemical phenomena. A number of
technically feasible new approaches have been proposed and the best of these
should be explored and developed as soon as funds are available.
In addition, further improvement of the test site and facilities near
Port Orange, Florida, is to be made to the extent shown to be necessary
based upon operations that are now in process or planned.
Evaluations of various kinds by consultants and other Governmental
agencies are included in this category.
Demonstration Plant Program. It is planned in FY 1960 to completely
activate the program to carry out the various phases of the work. This
will include the- study and selection of the conversion processes and sites
for plant construction, and contracting for the engineering of the first
conversion plants. It is also planned to have a contract ready for execu-
tion which will provide for starting building of the first plant as soon
as possible in Fy 1961.
28
APPENDIX
29
AUTHORIZATION
A copy of the 1952 Saline Water Act and the 1955 amendment thereto,
as well as Public Law 85-833 discussed'in this report (see Demonstration
Plant Program and Congressional Hearings) are printed below.
Public Law 448 - 82d Congress
Chapter 568 - 2d Session
H. R. 6578
AN ACT
To provide for research into and development of practical means for the econom- •
teal production, from sea or other saline waters, of water suitable for agri-
cultural, industrial, municipal, and other beneficial consumptive uses, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in view of water
the acute shortage of water in the and areas of the Nation and research
elsewhere and the excessive use of underground waters throughout and develop-
the Nation,it is the policy of the Congress to provide for the develop- -nt.
ment of practicable low-cost means of producing from sea water, or
from other saline waters, water of a quality suitable for agriculture,
industrial, municipal, and other beneficial consumptive uses on a
scale sufficient to determine the feasibility of the development of such
production and distribution on a large-scale basis, for the purpose of
conserving and increasing the water resources of the Nation.
Sec. 2. In order to carry out the purposes of this Act, the Secre- Authority
tary of the Interior, acting through such agencies of the Department of Secretary
of the Interior as he may deem appropriate,is authorized— or Interior.
(a) by means of research grants and contracts as set forth in
subsection (d) of this section to conduct research and technical
development work, to make careful engineering studies to ascer-
tain the lowest investment and operating costs,and to determine
the best plant designs and conditions of operation
(b) to study methods for the recovery and marketing of byprod- •
ucts resulting from and incident to the production of water as
herein provided for the purpose of ascertaining the possibilities
of offsetting the costs of water production in any area by the
commercial utilization of such products;
(c) to acquire, by purchase, license, lease, or donation, secret
processes,technical data,inventions,patent applications,patents,
licenses, land and any interest in land (including water rights,
easements,and leasehold interests),plants and facilities,and other
property or rights: Provided, That the land or other property
acquired hereunder shall not exceed that necessary to carry on
the experiments and demonstrations for the purposes herein
provided;
(d) to engage,by noncompetitive contract or otherwise,chem-
ists, physicists, engineers, and such other personnel as may be
deemed necessary, and any educational institution, scientific
organization,or industrial or engineering firm deemed suitable to
do any part of the.research or other work,and to the extent appro-
priate to correlate and coordinate the research and development
work of such educational institutions,scientific organizations and
industrial and engineering firms• and 66 Stat 326
(e) to cooperate with any other Federal, SEW,—ormunicipai 56 Sta . 329.
department, agency, or instrumentality, and with any private
person, firm, educational institution, or other organization in
effectuating the purpose of this Act.
SEc.3. Research undertaken by the Secretary of the Interior under cooperation
the authority contained in this Act shall be coordinated or conducted with Defense
jointly with the Department of Defense to the greatest practicable Departm ut.
extent compatible with military and security limitations,to the end
that research and developments under this Act which are primarily
of a civil nature will contribute to the defense of the Nation and that,
research and developments in the same field which are primarily of
a military nature and are conducted by the Department of Defense
30
Pub. Law 448 -t-
All 66 Stat. 329.
will be made available to advance the purposes of this Act and to
strengthen the civil economy of the Nation.
Disposal. SEc.4. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized,for the sole pur-
pose of this Act, to dispose of all water and other products produced
as a result of his operations under this Act pursuant to regulations
to be prescribed by him:Provided. That nothing in this Act shall be
construed to alter.existing law with respect to the ownership and con-
trol of water.
Moneys. SEc. 5. All moneys received for products of the plants under this
Act shall be paid into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
Reports. SEc.6. The Secretary of the Interior shall niake reports to the Presi-
dent and the Congress at the beginning of each regular session of the
action taken or instituted by him under the provisions of this Act.
The report shall include suitable recommendations for further
legislation.
R.gulations: SEc. 7. The Secretary of the Interior may issue-rules and regula-
tions to effectuate the purposes of this Act.
Appropria- SEc. S. There are authorized to be appropriated, from any funds
tion. in the Treasury not otherwise a ipropriated,such sums, not to exceed
$2,000,000, for a five-year period, fo carry out the provisions of this
Act: Provided, That departmental exppenses for the correlation and
coordination of information over such Rve-year period shall not.exceed
the sum of $500,000: Provided f urther, That such departmental ex-
penses shall be scheduled in equal(amounts for eacli-year of such period
insofar as practicable.
Approved July 3, 1952.
31
Public Law 111 - 84th Congress
Chapter 227 - 1st Session
H. R. 2126
AN ACT
All 69 Stat. 198.
To amend the Act of July 3, 1952, relating to research in the development and
utilization of saline waters.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress aBsembled,That the Act of July Saline water
3, 1952 (66 Stat. 328;42 U. S. C.,sees. 1951 ff.),is hereby amended as rea9aroh.
follows:
(1) By modifying subsection (a) of section 2 of said Act so as to 42 USC 1952(a).
read: "by means of research grants and contracts as set forth in sub-
section (d) of this section and by use of the facilities of existing
Federal scientific laboratories within the monetary limits set forth in
section 8 of.this Act, to conduct research and technical development
work, to make careful engineering studies to ascertain the lowest
investment and operating costs, and to determine the best plant
designs and conditions of operation".
(2) By-modifying section 3 of said Act to add the following: "Simi- 42 USC 1953.
larly,the fullest cooperation by and with the Atomic Energy Commis-
sion and the Civil Defense Administration in research shall be carried
out in the interest of achieving the objectives of the program.".
(3) By modifying section 8 of said Act so as to read: "There are Appropriation.
authorized to be appropriated such sums, but not more than$10,000, 42 USC 1958.
000 in all, as may be required (a) to carry out the provisions of this
Act during the fiscal years 1953 to 1963, inclusive, (b) to finance for
not more than two years beyond the end of said period such grants,
contracts,cooperative agreements,and studies as may theretofore have
been undertaken pursuant to this Act, and (c) during the same addi-
tional period plus one more year, to correlate, coordinate, and round
out the results of studies and research undertaken pursuant to this
Act. Departmental expenses for direction of the program authorized
by this Act and for the correlation and coordination of information
as provided in subsection (d) of its section 2 shall not exceed $2,000;
000, and not more than $2,500,000 shall be expended for research and
development in Federal laboratories. Both of said sums shall be
scheduled for expenditure in equal annual amounts insofar as is prac-
ticable: Provided, That not to exceed 10 per centum of the funds Cooperation with
available in any one year for research and development may be foreign agenoies.
expended in cooperation with public or private agencies in foreign
countries in the development of processes useful to the program in the
United States: And provided further, That contracts or agreements
made in pursuance of this proviso shall provide.that the results or
information developed in connection therewith shall be available
without cost to the program in the United States herein authorized."
Approved June 29, 1955.
32
Public Law 85-883
85th Congress, S. J. Res. 135
September 2, 1958
JOINT. RESOLUTION 72 stet. 1706.
Providing for the construction of demonstration plants'for the production,
from saline or brackish waters, of water suitable for agricultural, industrial,
municipal, and other beneficial consumptive uses.
Whereas official Government reports show .unmistakably that the
United.States population is multiplying at a rate which by 1980
will triple the demand for supplies of fresh water, which if not
available will adversely affect the national defense by jeopardizing
the economic welfare and general well-being of vast segments of
the population of the United States, as well as the population of
some of our Territorial.possessions; and
Whereas inany cities, towns, and rural areas are already confronted
by shortages of potable water that imperil health; and
Whereas the expanding population, industry, and agriculture of the
United States are becoming increasingly dependent upon an assured
augmented supply of fresh water while the future welfare and na-
tional defense of the United States rest upon increased sources of
fresh water; and
Whereas research by governmental agencies, educational institutions,
and private industry has brought. about the evolution, on a limited
scale,of methods of desalting sea water and the treatment of brack-
ish w,,Ater which give promise of ultimate economical results; and
117'liereas the United States Government has the responsibility, along
with safeguarding the national defense, and protecting the health,
welfare, and economic stability of the country, to transform these
experiments into production tests on a scale not possible of achieve-
ment otherwise; and
Whereas the Congress recognized its responsibility in this field by the
enactment in 1952 of the Saline Water Act (66 Stat. 328), re- 42 USC 1951
affirmed its position by the amendments to such Act in 1955 (69 Stat. et
198) ; and the legislative history of such Acts reveals that the Con-
tress.recognized even then that the time had arrived for tackling
the problem more realistically and effectively,but unfortunately the
program Avas limited to such in extent that concrete results are not
possible of attainment under the provisions of existing legislation;
and
Whereas the Congress now finds it is in the national interest to demon-
strate, with the least possible delay, in actual production tests the
several optimum aspects of the construction, operation, and main-
tenance of sea water conversion and brackish water treatment
plants: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by Me Senate and House of Representatives of the Tinted
States of _°lnieriea. in Congress asse?n.hled, That (a) the Secretary of saline water
the Interior shall, pursuant to the provisions of the Act of July 3,research.
1952, as amended (42 IT. S. C. 1951-1958), and in accordance with Demonstration
this joint resolution,provide for the construction,operation,and main-plants,
tenance of not less than five demonstration plants for the.production,66 Stat. 329.
from sea water or brackish water, of water suitable for agricultural,
industrial, municipal, and other beneficial consumptive uses. Stich
plants shall be designed to demonstrate the reliability, engineering,
operating, and economic potentials of the sea or brackish water con-
version processes which the Secretary shall select from aniong the most
promising of the presently known processes,and each plant sliall dem-
onstrate a. different process. A decision with respect to the process
to be utilized in the first of these five plants shall be made by the Sec-
retary within six months after the date of approval'of this joint reso-
lution and decisions with respect to the processes to be utilized in the
33
Pub. Law 85-883 -2- September 2, 1958
72 Stat. 1707.
Report to other plants shall follow at intervals of not more than three months.
Congress. Each such decision shall be reported promptly to the Congress and
the construction of the plants shall proceed as rapidly as is possible.
(b) The construction of the demonstration plants referred to above
shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) Not less than three plants shall be designed for the conversion
of sea water, and each of two plants so designed shall have a capacity
of not less than one million gallons per day;
(2) Not less than two plants shall be designed for the treatment
of brackish water, and at least one of the plants so designed shall
have a capacity of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand
gallons der day; and
(3) Stich plants.shall be located in the following geographical
areas with a view to demonstrating optimum utility from the stand-
point of reliable operation, maintenance, and economic potential—
(A) At least one plant which is designed for the conversion
of sea water shall be located on the west coast of the United
States, at least one such plant shall be located on the east coast
thereof, and at least one such plant shall be located on the gulf
coast thereof; and
(B) at least one plant which is designed for the treatment of
brackish water shall be located in the area generally described
as the Northern Great Plains and at least one such plant shall
be located in the, arid areas of the Southwest.
(c) As used in this joint resolution,the term"demonstration plant"
means a plant of sufficient size and capacity to establish on a day-to-
day operating basis the optimum attainable reliability, engineering,
Operating, and economic potential of the particular sea water con-
version process or the brackish water treatment process selected by
the Secretary of the Interior for utilization in such plant.
Contracts. SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Interior shall enter into a contract
or contracts for the construction of the demonstration plants referred
to in the preceding section, and the Secretary shall enter into a sep-
arate contract or contracts for the operation and maintenance of such
plants. Any such operation and maintenance contract shall provide
for the compilation by the contractor of complete records with respect
to the operation, maintenance, and engineering of the plant or plants
specified in the contract. The records so compiled shall be made
available to the public by the Secretary at periodic and reasonable
intervals with a view to demonstrating the most feasible existing
processes for desalting sea water and treating brackish water. Access
by the public to the demonstration plants herein provided for shall
be assured during all phases of construction and operation subject
to such reasonable restrictions as to.time and place as the Secretary
of the Interior may require or approve.
Public SEC. 3. The Secretary is authorized to accept financial and other
assistance. assistance from any State or public agency in connection with studies,
surveys, location, construction, operation, or other work relating to
saline or brackish water conversion problems and facilities for such
conversion,and to enter into contracts with respect to such assistance,
which contracts shall detail the purposes for which the assistance is
contributed. Any funds so contributed shall be available for expendi-
ture by the Secretary in like manner as if they had been specifically
appropriated for purposes for which they are contributed, and any
funds not expended for these purposes shall be returned to the State
or public agency from which they were received.
Termination SEC. 4. The authority of the Secretary of the Interior under this
of author— joint resolution to construct, operate, and maintain demonstration
ity. plants shall terminate upon the expiration of seven years after the
date on which this joint resolution is approved. Upon the expiration-
, 34
September 2, 1958 -3- Pub. Law 85-883
72 Stat. 170e0_-:: .;
of such seven-year period the Secretary shall proceed as promptly
as practicable to dispose of any plants so constructed'by.sale to the
highest bidder, or as may otherwise be directed by Act of Congress.
Upon such sale,there shall be returned to any State or public agency
which has contributed financial assistance under section 3 of this
Act a proper share of the net proceeds of the sale.
SEC. 5. The powers conferred on the Secretary of the Interior by Administration.
this joint resolution shall be in addition to and not in derogation of
the authority conferred on the Secretary by the Act of July 3, 1952,
• as amended (42 U. S. C. 1951-1958). The provisions of such Act,
except as otherwise.provided in this joint resolution, shall be appli-
cable in the administration of this joint resolution.
SEC. 6. When appropriations have been made for the construction contracts.
or operation and maintenance of any demonstration plant under this
joint resolution, the Secretary may, in connection with such construc-
tion or operation and maintenance; enter into contracts for construc-
tion,for materials and supplies,and for miscellaneous services, which
contracts may cover such periods of time as he shall consider necessary
but under which the liability of the United States shall be contingent
upon appropriations being available therefor. Unobligated appro-
priations heretofore made to carry out the Act of July 3, 1952 (66
Stat. 328), as amended (42 U. S. C. 1951 and following) shall be
available for administrative and technical services, including travel
expenses and the procurement of the services of experts, Consultants
and organizations thereof in accordance with section 15 of the Act of
August 2, 1946 (60 Stat. 806), as amended (5 U. S. C. 55a), in con-
nection with carrying out the rovisions of this joint resolution.
SEC. 7. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums,Appropriation.
not in excess of $10,000,000, as may be necessary to provide for the
construction of the demonstration plants referred to in this joint
resolution, together with such additional sums as may be necessary
for the operation and maintenance of.such plants, and the adminis-
tration of the program authorized by this resolution.
Approved September 2, 1958.
35
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF SALINE WATER
A PARTIAL LIST OF SALINE WATER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY -- 1968
(Based on information currently available
to Office of Saline Water)
In Conn. Primary
nection Objective
with e
SEPARATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION OR
a
e e
OR INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED 3 q REUR&S
3w o 10
PHENOMENA IN RESEARCH AND $ `' p °� •
DEVELOPMENT q p
r�
a C3 0 a
4.4 -P �o�4
I, PHYSICAL PROCESSES ua Stills, Inc. x Development of household type
AND PHENOMENA Hickman unite.
VAPORIZATION Badger Manufacturing Co. x Commercial equipment
development.
Vapor Compression Bureau of Yards & Docket USH x Equipment evaluation, scaling
Distillation (NAVCELLB) studies.
Battelle Memorial Institute x x Development or rotary stills.
Office of the Chief of Engineers x x All aluminum equipment,
(ERDL) design and fabrication.
**British Admiralty laboratories i x Scale control and marine
equipment.
Bureau of Reclamation laboratoriae x x Small rotary stills develop-
ment.
Cleaver-Brooke Co. x Commercial equipment
development.
Maxim-Silencer Co. x Commercial equipment
development.
Mechanical Equipment Co. x Commercial equipment
development.
Dr. B. F. Dodge & A. M. Eshaya x z Forced circulation and drop-
wise condensation.
Parer Generators Inc. x Commercial equipment
development.
USN--Bureau of Ships x x Forced circulation develop-
Badger Manufacturing Co. mental evaporator for BuShips
Single and Whiting Corporation Experimental LTV evaporator
Multiple Effect (W. L. Badger & Assoc.) x x scale control.
36
In C ow Primary
neotion Objective
with t
SEPARATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION OR t+
e
OR INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED a W m
a+ o d m RBUARSS
PHENOMENA IN RESEARCH AND a 3 a
DEVELOPMENT g@p a U t¢y,
14
e Y 0 0 m
a m F4 C3 N ti
M .4 it 04-d
0 0��� o%i
University of California x Rotary still development.
(Bromley)
Single and Multiple **Israel Technion Research and x General research and develop-
Effect (continued) Development Foundation ment in seawater distillation.
Griscom-Russell Co. x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
Ma;dm-S12enoer Co. x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
•+C&J Weir (Scotland) x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
University of Michigan x x Basic research in scale
prevention.
**P. C. Henriques Terna, x Scale prevention.
Netherlands, Antilles
Critical Pressure Nuclear Development Corpora- + x Research in the super critical
Devices tion of American state.
Flash Distillation **Energie Dee More x Ocean thermal-difference
(Joint French Govt.-Pvt.) investigations.
Badger Manufacturing Co. x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
University of California x x laboratory investigations of
lav-temperature difference
distillations.
Cleaver-Brooke Co. x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
• Bethelshem Shipbuilding Co. x Commercial equipment develop-
ment.
Food Machinery and Chemical x x Laboratory investigations of
Corp.-D.F. Othmer distillation without metallic
heat transfer surfaces.
Griscom-Russell Co. x Design and development of low
cost flash thermal difference
evaporators.
*+C&J Weir Co. (Scotland) x Commercial equipment develop-
ment
37
In Con- Primary
notion Objective
with:
ate+ m F
SEPARATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION OR a o m
q O as,Y m
OR INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED
4- 0 d
PHENOMENA IN RESEARCH AND p u u RELSARSS
0 A m m r•1 M
DEVELOPMENT .�, 41 > U V F.-4+
os 0
Westinghouse Electric x Commercial equipment develop-
International meat.
Flash Distillation
(continued) **Richardson & Westoarth z Commercial equipment develop-
(England) ment.
Solar Evaporation See Solar Energy
CRYSTALLIZATION Cornell Univerait
(H. F. Wiega= z x Direct hydrocarbon freezing*
Freezing of Water
Applied Science laboratories * x Research on brine separation.
**University of Rome
(E. Vacino and B. Visitin) x
Battelle Memorial Institute x x Zone.freezing.
Carrier Corporation x x Freeze-evaporation cycles*
Robert B. Cox x z Freeze-evaporation cycle..
**Israel (Zarchin system) z Freeze-evaporation cycle.
State University of Iowa * x Preliminary studies on freez-
(Dr. Karl Sammermeyer) ing solutions.
**France-Trepaud Process z. x Commercial equipment producing
ice and fresh water for fish-
ing industry.
**Yugoslavia-Prof. Rekar, x Laboratory and pilot plant
Ljubljana freezing investigations.
**Japan-Electrotechnical x Freezing equipment adaptable
laboratory, Tokyo for both salt and fresh water
production.
University of Texas x Deionization of salt and
brackish water.
University of Washington * x General investigations.
OSMOSIS Gulf Research and Development z Theoretical investigation of
Corp. membranes.
Synthetic Membranes
State University of Iowa * x Pressure permeation through
(Dr. Karl Kamaermeyer) porous films and membranes.
38
In Con- Primary
nectian Objective
with:
h
SEPARATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION OR a
pe m h m m
OR INDIVIDUAL MUGED m $ a° a e�
h�+ REMAR&4
PRENCKM IN REBEARCH AND o m
DEVELOPMEW ° 0 m m� `�
v W hU O,`�� 14+9
OSMOSIS (continued) University of Florida x x Reverse osmosis basic re=
(C. H. Reid) search osmotio membrane.
Synthetic Membranes
Molecular Oil Films University of California I I x x Unit development.
Biological Membranes Resources Research, Inc. x x Basic research.
Fiber Membranes University of California 1XI
z Researoh--Use of fiber bundles
as membranes.
IMMISCIBLE LIQUIDS Texas A8M Research Founds- x x Solvent extraction of water
tion (Dr. D.W. Hood)
II. CHEMICAL PROCESSES **German Industry z
AND PHENCMEHA
U.S. Industry x x
ION EEHANGH **Algerian Government z x
Synthetic Ion
Exchange Resins
University of California x x Researoh--More economical
regeneration of ion-exchange
resins.
PRECIPITATION Applied Science laboratories x Salting out natural salts.
III.ELC TRICAL PROCESSES **Israel x Membrane research.
AND PBENCMENA
Nat'l Bureau of Standards x x Membrane research.
ElM TRO-ION-MIGItAT I ON
Ion-Transfer Ionics, Inc. + x x Membrane and equipment
Membranes development.
(Eleotrodialysis)
Ionics, Inc. x x Experimental unite for Bu=
Ships, BuDocks, Air Force,
and Corps of Engineers.
**Central Technical Institute, x x Membrane research and
T.N.O. (Netherlands) cell development.
c
—Bronswerk(Netherlands) x Equipment development.- .
**Union of South Africa x z Membrane research and
cell development.
**Imperial Chemical x Membrane development.
Industries, Ltd.
Graver Water Conditioning Co. x x Electrodialysis development.
39
In Con- Primary
nection Cbjectiv
with:
SEPARATION PROCESS
OR ORGANIZATION OR $4
PHENOMENA INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED 4.4 0 14 o M co
m
IN RESEARCH AND
$ o m 0 RFMARISS
DEPELOPMENT - OR�10 o
m
59
s. U m.
Ion Transfer **Permutit Co. Ltd. of England x Membrane research and cell
Membranes development.
(Electrodia1 sis)
(coatinued� **V7m. Bcby k Co. Ltd. (British) x Equipment development.
**Imperial College, London x z Membrane research for aoa-
(Dr. Kitchener) demic purposes.
** U.S.S.R. x Electrodialysis research.
**United Kingdom D.S-.I.R. z x Membrane research.
Texas Electric Service Co. and x x x Electrodialyeis development
Texas Christian University and unit operation.
Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute z x Membrane research.
(Dr. H. P. Gregor)
National Aluminate Company x x Membrane research.
Gulf Research k D eve lopment Corp. x Membrane research.
**Asahi Chemical Industry Co. x Electrodialysis development.
(Japan)
**Asahi Glass Co.Ltd. (Japan) x Electrodialysis development.
American Machine and Foundryco x x Membrane research.
Rohm k Hass Co., New York x x Membrane research.
Permutit Company x x Membrane and prooess
development.
Bureau of Reclamation x x Membrane and equipment
evaluation.
University of Oklahoma x x Electrical control of
Research Institute absorptivity.
(Dr. G. Murphy)
Dr. H. G. Deming x x Transport depletion.
(Osmionic) Southern Research Institute x x Osmionio demineralisers.
IV. GENERAL Louis Koenig - Research * x Disposal of saline water
conversion brines.
University of California x Thermodynamic analysis of
processes.
Armour Research Foundation * x Feasibility investigation of
various phenomena.
Applied Science Laboratories x x EX oratory tudy of various
0o ers on ideas.
40
ti
ENERGY SOURCES CRGANIZATION OR
FOR INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED . w o a..m pqp
NNp
DEESINEtALIZATION IN RESEARCH AND 4. '0 :3 REMARKS
4-
DEVELOPMENT 17 o 4
4O,4 fa
.. 11000
o � as wog
I. SOLAR ENERGY Bjorksten Research laboratories x x Plastic solar stills.
**University of Bari, Italy x x Experimental at
(Professor Nebbia)
**Imperial College, London x x Theory and practice - solar
(Professor Hayward) energy utilization.
Massachusetts Institute of x Investigating all means of
Technology(Prof.H.C. Hottel) solar energy utilization.
Franklin Institute x Hydrophilic surfaces for
plastics for solar stills.
New York University x x Research on solar stills.
• University of California x x Solar still investigation.
Dr. George 0. G. Lgf x x Design of pilot solar still.
**French Govt. (Algerian Govta) x x x Experimental stills.
**Moroccan Govt. x x x Experimental stills.
**South African CSIR x x x Investigating all means of
solar energy utilization.
**Spain - Comision Nacional x x Experimental stills.
De Energia Eolica y Solar
University of Wisconsin x x Investigating all means of
(Prof. Farrington Daniels) solar energy utilization.
**Israeli Govt. x x Experimental stills.
**Australian CSIRO x x Experimental stills.
Association for Applied x x x Promotion of solar energy
Solar Energy utilization.
E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. x x Use of plastics in solar
stills - also investigating
other applications for solar
use.
c
Now Mexico Highlands Univer- x x Solar energy applications.
sity (Dr. E. G. Meyer)
41
In Con- Primary
nection Objective
with:
ENERGY SOMC ES CRGANIZATI ON OR a
FCR INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED 0 m -m
DWMERAUZATION IN RESEARCH AND A a p REMARKS
DEVEPMENT {0 a
LO `4
.04 a0 p i. UM�
0� o o
II. GEOTHERMAL •rMinistry of Works (New Z Development of electric
ENERGY Zealand Govt..) power.
Battelle Memorial Institute + Z Feasibility of utilising
geothermal energy.
South Dakota Research and • Z Availability of geothermal
Develolmeat Association, energy in specific area.
Rapid City
III. NOCLE►R ENERGY Fluor Corporation Z Z Design studies of combined
distillation-nuclear
reactor cycle
►••Vniversity of California Z Z Preliminary investigation
of reactor types and cost
analysis.
•Cortraot work completed prior to 1958.
*$Reported research outside United States and Possessions.
***University's saline water research is directed by Prof. E. D. Hare, Head,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Berkeley, and L. M. Re Boelter, Dean
of Engineering, Los Angeles. Work is carried out by various faculty
members and students.
NOTES The program being initiated at McGill University under the Brace
Vequest is not listed under the various process categories because active
research projects are not yet underway.
3
42
I ,
SALINE WATER CONVERSION
REPORT FOR 1958
e•
1•
I
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FRED A. SEATON, SECRETARY
FRED G. AANDAHL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT
DAVID S. JENKINS,, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF SALINE WATER
JANUARY 1959
1 -
COUNCILMEN
VICTERRY, Myor
ONGTQN� TEDTOR W. BARTLE Ta
(L
ORg Councilman
TEO ��
ROY D. BRYANT, Councilman
EARL T. IRBY, Councilman
• ? ter ARCH F. LOCKETT, Councilman
OFFICIALS
9yFa « o �
C �1909, �� J. L. HENRICKSEN. City Clerk and
Administrative Officer
CQ�NTY CP March 31 1959 W. M. CLEGG, Treasurer
C. A. BAUER, Attorney
H. A. OVERMYER, Engineer and
Superintendent of Streets
BEN H. DULANEY, Chief of Police
D. G. HIGGINS, Fire Chief
Honorable Mayor and
City Councilmen ----- '�
City of Huntington Beach
City Hall
Huntington Beach, California ----
Gentlemen:
I have just received from the U.S. Department of the
Interior , Washington, D. C. , also from the State of Calif-
ornia Department of Water Resources, Sacramento and from
our own Senator John A. Murdy, Jr. , information and quest-
ionnaires regarding the proposed Saline Water Demonstration
Plant authorized by Congress to be. built some place on the
Pacific Coast.
It would seem that we have plenty of Ocean Water and
certainly plenty of electricity and fuel and furthermore
we have a great need for the water because of the recent
salt water intrusion which would put Huntington Beach in a
highly qualified position . Five to ten acres of land will
be required and a million gallons of water daily is expect-
ed to be reclaimed and the other requirement is that it
will be hopeful that someone will purchase the reclaimed
water at a reasonable price, and according to' a statement
made by the Southern California Water Co. , they would be
interested in purchasing this water.
It is my understanding that Huntington Beach might
well qualify for this Saline Water Demonstration Plant,
however; to progress further , this matter should be handled
by City authorities, therefore I am turning over -all cor-
respondence to you and will hope that the Mayor and City
Council including the City Engineer will follow through
and fill in the enclosed questionnaires.
Yours truly,
William Gallienne,
Public Relations Director
City of Huntington Beach
fat OF T y� _ 41w
\ ti UNITED STATES
f
'A DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY � i�Q
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.
9.
Dear Mr. Galli erne:
This letter is in reply to your wire of March 11, in which you
express a desire for establishing a, seawater conversion demonstration
plant on the coast of California.
Our Office of Saline Water has prepared a list of factors that
are important in site selection. Two copies of this site location form
are enclosed. These should be completed and one returned directly to the
Office of Saline Water.
The site selection depends to a large extent on the process.
The first process was selected on March 2, and a press release relating
thereto is enclosed. Four additional processes are to be announced at
intervals of three months from March 2, as: provided in Public Law 85-883
which is also enclosed. Progress: in research and development in saline
water is outlined in our Annual Report for 1958 enclosed herewith.
Please let us know if we can be of further service.
Sincerely yours,
;esfa�I Secretary of the Interior
Mr. William Gallienne
Public Relations Director
P. O. Box 272
Huntington Beach, California
Enclosures
484.17
OFFICE OF SALINE WATER
SUGGESTED TYPES OF INFORMATION NEEDED
(.General Guides* for Saline Water Cornier..sign.-.Plant. --Location Considerations)
(Tentative - To Be Amended as Necessary)
Six types of information are needed, each of which will contribute to
the final decisions as to location, type and size of the saline water conversion
plant. These are:
I. Tyne of process to be demonstrated. To be selectdd by OSW.
II. Locations where water is needed within reasonable distances from saline
sources: The nature of the uses, quantity and quality, and physical and economic
conditions affecting these needs.
III. Availability of the raw product - saline water. (The proximity to sea
water if that is the source, or if brackish water is to be desalted, information
on its quantity, quality, and location.)
IV. Local factors affecting plant. As complete information as possible on all
local factors which would affect or aid in determining the type, size and
economy of the plant to be built and operated.
V. Cooperation. Type and extent of local public and private financial
support, and viewpoints of State or other cooperating agencies.
VI. Demonstration value. An appraisal of the value of the plant as a demon-
stration with respect to (a) likelihood that future plants of this type will be
needed and built locally and (b) accessibility to public as a demonstration.
Throughout this form give sources of your information including liter-
ature references where possible. If there are several suitable areas for a plant
site in your community use a separate form for each site. Additional forms will
be mailed upon request. Information common to several sites need not be repeated,
but should be marked "dt." If necessary use additional sheets or, if desired,
the information outlined here may be provided in any other convenient form.
More Specifically As Follows
I. Type of process - Based upon development status, estimated cost of water
produced, broad applicability for future use, and local needs as deter-
mined under information factors II to VI. (To be selected by OSW)
*The Office of Saline Water will supply the information required for all items
followed by the notation (OSW).
D3
� J �
48417
II. Locations where water is needed
A. Types and quantities of water presently in use (attach map of area
with existing water supply system and suggested locations for saline
water plants)
1. Municipal systems.
a. domestic water (this use refers to drinking, culinary,
home use, and to other municipal needs where fresh
water is used for fire protection, flushing, etc.)
b. industrial (include general description of industries served)
2. Individual Area Users
a. individual homes not on distribution systems - individual farm
or other homes, or other small users if their number presents
a problem or if new supplies would provide significant contri-
bution to the welfare or economy of an area.
b. industrial - consider heavy industrial consumption here.
(1) primary
(2) secondary - waste treatment, cooling, etc.
3. Agriculture - (Quantity in acre-feet and quality of water)
4. Other - such as potential tourist locations
B. Present Supply System
1. Existing supply - (a complete description of the existing sources
of supply, treatment, and distribution is necessary) . The sewer-
age system should also be considered as it might be affected by
additional supplies of fresh water.
a. name of community and population served
b. ownership of water system(s) _
D3 2
48417
c. type of supply - (percent of surface water, ground water,
purchased water)
d. treatment (type and capacity of system)
e. distribution system (gravity, pumped, capacity, extent)
f. power for pumping (raw water to treatment, finished water to
distribution)
go storage of finished water on distribution system (tanks)
reservoirs, ground storage)
h. dual water system - does one exist and what is the capacity
(sea water and fresh water systems)
i. sewerage system (type and capacity)
2. Estimated future needs
a. quantities needed based on projections of municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural, and other growth, and based on per capita
consumption for rising standards of living.
C. Quality of water presently in use (salinity tolerances based on
existing local uses)
1. Industrial
2. Human
3. Animal
4. Crop
D3 3
48417
III. Availability of saline water supplies (literature, local inquiry, and
field sampling - indicate location of supplies on map)
A. Occurrence
1. Ocean water
2. Saline ground water (springs, wells)
3. Saline surface streams and lakes
4. Sea water encroachment
B. Saline content (indicate estimated quantities available)
1. Slightly saline - 1,000 - 3,000 ppm
2. Moderately saline - 3,000 - 10,000 ppm
3. Very saline - 10,000 - 35,000 ppm
4. Brine - over 35,000 ppm
C. Dissolved mineral constituents and other factors such as pollutian
(plants should not be considered for location near sources of
pollution)
D. Geographic and geologic characteristics
1. Distance and height difference between point of saline surface
supply and point of use: normal
maximum
lb. maximum lift if intermediate levels higher than site
2. Depth of saline aquifer, pumping depth, and maximum obtainable
volume (if known)
3. Number, type, average depth, and capacity of existing wells and
danger of sea water encroachment
D3 4
48417
4. Foundation conditions at suggested plant location (types of soil,
average bearing value), (attach copy of soil test reports, if any)
5. Drainage at suggested plant location. Is site subject to flooding?
IV. Local factors affecting plant
A. Fuel supply (Except for solar processes, the cost of fuel is vital.
Energy comprises from 4 to z or more of the total cost of desalting. )
1. Types available (fuel oil, gas, coal, etc. )
2. Cost by types (attach rate schedules)
3. Cost and supply projection for 5-20-50 years
B. Local materials and equipment
1. Civil works - are local process plant contractors and heavy
equipment erection, local machinery supply, and repair
facilities available? (If so, list a few companies)
2. Delivered materials - cost of principal materials such as steel,
cement, aggregate, glass, lumber, tanks, pipe, etc.
D3 5
48417
3. Availability of utilities and costs of electric energy, telephone,
water, and sewerage. (Attach industrial and home rate schedules.
Attach, also, schedules for off-peak or night rates for industrial
electric energy, if any.)
4. Source of electric power (diesel, steam) water)
C. Labor (technical and non-technical)
1. Skills for construction (include itemized list of available skills
such as welders, riveters, masons, bricklayers, carpenters) etc.
2. Skills for operation and maintenance
3. Costs (wage rates for above skills)
D. Other available energy sources (locations, descriptions) and quantities
available)
1. Waste heat from industrial plants - useful in some of the more
economical processes
2. Power Plant Exhaust steam available for process heating (Locations
of plants)
3. Solar (local intensity and average days per year of sunshine)
D3 6
48417
4. Natural ocean temperature difference (one process utilizing
temperature differences of 300F. or more is reasonably econom-
ical and data on such locations is of value. )
E. 1. Transportation or accessibility to area (ship, rail, road, air)
2. Accessibility of plant site (bus schedules, distance to town,
distance to nearest bus stop, population of town, distance to
nearest RR freight depot, RR sidings)
3. Zoning restrictions.
F. Fire and Police Services - Describe fire and police facilities in area
surrounding proposed site.
G. Climatic conditions (average rate of rainfall maximum 24 hour rainfall,
winds, temperatures, is area subject to hurricanes, flooding? )
H. Is proposed site suitable for future expansion?
V. Cooperation - Type and extent of local public and private financial and
other support with viewpoints and comments of State as well as other
cooperating agencies.
A. General description and amount of available land
D3 7
48417
B. Saline water conversion plant costs (cost allocations)
1. Initial cost (OSW)
2. Operation and maintenance cost (OSW)
3. Depreciation costs (OSW)
4. Method of distributing costs between consumers (OSW)
5. Present methods and costs for existing water supply (rates)
6. Modification of items in standard cost estimating procedure based
on local conditions (OSW)
0. Financial support contribution (State, Municipalities, Private)
1. First cost
2. Operating and maintenance cost
D. Technical assistance in operating experimental demonstration plant
E. Product purchase value
1. Price per thousand gallons delivered to reservoir, treatment plant,
or distribution system (indicate which one)
2. Indicated flexibility of receiving agency for water supply that
may be infrequently disrupted for test purposes
VI. Demonstration value - An appraisal of the value of the plant as a demon-
stration of the potentials of saline water conversion.
A. Present population that would have accessibility to conversion plant
and population forecast if adequate water supply were made available.
B. General future of area if abundant water supply were available
D3 8
48417
C. Forecast of desirability, and local capability, of constructing addi-
tional saline water plants if the demonstration program leads to
public acceptance
D. Local purchase of plant in 1965 after demonstration is completed, is
provided by the Act. Give information as to probable purchasers of
the plant.
Sources of information including literature references;
D3 9
Interior--Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C.
100
II. B. le j. Waste Product Disposal Facilities
(In connection with inland brackish water conversion
plantsp disposal of the waste concentrated brine may
be a problem). Provide information as to the means
available for such disposal. Consider stream
pollution problems, if any.
D3
V9723
XbFAICE ADDRESS '.I COMMITTEES
1623 WEST 17TH STREET 1 AGRICULTURE
SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA EDUCATION
FISH AND GAME
SACRAMENTO ADDRESS A► J� LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION
STATE CAPITOL OHN A. MU,RDY, JR• RULES
ZONE 14 V WATER RESOURCES
THIRTY-FIFTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT FINANCE
ORANGE�gOUNTY
CA_LIFORNIIA ' EGhS;LATURE
"T
Ir _ � ' -
s�
Mr. William Gallienrie
Public Relations Director �)
City of Huntington Beach
P. O. Box 272
Huntington Beach, California
Mr. Willis H. Warner, Chairman
Board of Supervisors
403 loth Street
Huntington Beach, California
Dear Bill and Willis:
Upon receipt of Bill' s telegram I contacted the Director of
Water Resources and was given the following information: II�
I
There are to be five saline water demonstration plants authorized
by the Congress, with one of them on the Pacific Coast. No funds
have yet been appropriated by Congress, but it is expected that
some will be appropriated this year. Our State budget carries-
an appropriation of $1.6: Million to assist on a matching basis.
Construction probably will not start until late next year.
They are attempting to ascertain all of the areas that are
I
interested in the project. They require 5 to 10 acres of land
and expect to reclaim a million gallons of water daily and hope
to find someone who is interested in purchasing the water re-
claimed at a reasonable price in order to assist in defraying
the cost of the project.
t.
I am enclosing herewith rather long and detailed letters to each
of you from Mr. Banks ' office. I hope this gives you the informa-
tion desired, but if not, don' t fail to contact me as soon as
Possible again.
Very-truly yours ,
I
I
JAM:g JOHN A. MURDY, JR.
Encl. �'-/ j
yam' ►' EDMUND G. BROWN
GOVERNOR
HARVEY O. BANKS \ ADDRESS REPLY TO
DIRECTOR 1 P.O.BOX 888 SACRAMENTO 2
O 1120 N STREET HICKORY 5•4711
ww
A
u
Y
PO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
OrpartmPut of Water Irsourrrs
SACRAMENTO
March 13, 1959
Mr. William Gallienne
Public Relations Director
City of Huntington Beach
P. 0. Box 272
Huntington Beach, California
Dear Mr. Gallienne:
The purpose of this letter is (a) to acquaint you
with a Federal law providing for a demonstration sea-water
conversion plant to be built on the west coast, (b) to inquire
into your interest in having the plant located in your city,
and (c) to request completion and return of the enclosed form
titled . "Data for Use in Selecting Site for Sea-Water Conversion
Plant in California, to be Built Under Federal Law 85-883", in
the event you would like yout. city considered for the plant.
This form is to be used in evaluating propsective sites for the
.plant in various California coastal cities and communities.
Details relating to the background of the plant and the site
survey which we are conducting are given below.
In 1952 Congress passed the Saline Water Act, which
provided for research into and development of practical means
for the economical production from sea or other saline waters, .
of water suitable for domestic, industrial, agricultural, and
other beneficial uses. To carry out the purposes of the law,
the Office of Saline Water in the Department of Interior was set
up, the Director of which reports to the Assistant Secretary for
Water and Power Development. In 1955 the Act was amended to
broaden its provisions, extend the authorization period from five
to ten years (to 1963) , and increase the funds authorized from
$2,000,000 to_ $10,000,000.
The Act contains a provision permitting the Office of
Saline Water to cooperate with states and public agencies and
Mr. William Gallienne -2- March 13, 1959
since California has 'a keen interest in salt-water conversion
a cooperative agreement was entered into in April, 1958, between
the' State of California, through this Department, and the Federal
Government for mutual- assistance and exchange of information on
the problems of salt-water conversion. We have since been work-
ing closely with the Office of Saline Water on matters of mutual
interest, including making a contribution of $40,000 toward an -
engineering study of a conversion plant powered by a nuclear
reactor.
In September, 1958, Public Law 85-883 was enacted.
This law, supplementary to the original Act of 1952, .provides
for the construction of not less than five saline-water conver-
sion plants in the United States, of which at least one plant is
to be located on the west coast. A copy of the law is enclosed.
The purpose of the law is to accelerate the development of a
practical and economically competitive process for converting
saline water into fresh water by constructing and operating a
number of fairly large plants in various parts of the United
States. Since California is threatened with water shortages in
many areas, we hope that the west coast plant will be assigned
to this State, probably at some coastal site between San Francisco
and San Diego. The decision as to the site and type of plant
will be made by the 'Secretary of the Interior.
The Director, Office of- Saline Water, has requested
this Department to assist him in obtaining and evaluation infor-
mation on prospective sites in. California, in furtherance of
our cooperative agreement mentioned above. . To aid in evaluating
possible sites various data are required and to simplify the
furnishing of such data a form is enclosed, listing the items
considered important in selecting a site. The form is based upon
one prepared by the Office of Saline Water but modified, princi-
pally with respect to certain data called for in the Office of
Saline Water form which can readily be furnished by the State and
hence are omitted in the form enclosed. We are sending this letter
to various counties, cities, and communities along the coast which
we think may be interested in having the plant. After receipt of
the completed forms, we will forward them to the Office of Saline
Water with our -recommendations.
The plant will probably be of the distillation type,
with a capacity_ of not less than one million gallons per day of
- high purity water suitable for municipal, industrial, or agricul-
tural uses. While the primary purpose in building the plant is
to determine the engineering and economic potentials of a partic-
ular process, and to obtain design, operating, and cost data for
use in the design of future large plants, it is desirable that
there be a genuine need, either now or in the near future, for
s
Mr. William Gallienne -3= March 13, 1959
supplemental water in the area being served. It should be
pointed out, however, that the output of the plant cannot. be
considered as a firm supply .since testing and experimentation
will be carried on for a period of several years.
As a general guide in selection of a plant site, the
following characteristics are desirable:
1. Location in a city or community having a well-
developed water system of several million gallons-per-
day capacity.
2. Location. close to an unpolluted source of
undiluted sea water, preferably a channel, in which an
intake structure could bonveniently be located.
3. Location reasonably close to an existing
reservoir or water main to receive the demineralized
water.
4. Good foundation conditions for construction.
5. Conveniently accessible.
6. Availability of adequate power supply at a
reasonable distance.
7. Availability of fuel supply of gas or oil.
It will be noted in Section 4 'of the law that the
authority of the Secretary of the Interior to operate the plant
will terminate in seven years, after which he shall dispose of
the plant to the highest bidder or as otherwise directed by Act
of Congress. Attention is also invited to Section 3 which
permits the Secretary to accept financial and other assistance
from any state or public agency in connection with activities
relating to saline-water conversion. It is expected that the
State will contribute a substantial sum to the construction and
support of the plant. Any assistance, such as a direct financial
contribution or land for the site, which the city or community
interested in the plant desires to offer, will be welcome.
If you should like to have the area or governmental
unit which you represent considered for location of a plant as
covered by Public Law 85-883 and as above described, please com-
plete and return two copies of the enclosed form, adding any
other information, such as photographs, which you think will be
of value in deciding upon an appropriate plant site. We should
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Mr. William Gallienne -4- March 13, 1959
particularly like to have a copy of any industrial survey report
that has been made covering your community. If you have more
than one site to recommend, please submit a completed form in
duplicate for each site. If you have any questions or need any
assistance in filling out the form, we shall be glad to assist
you. It will be appreciated if you will return the form by
April 15, 1959.
If you have prepared a brochure describing the water
supply conditions of your city, we would be pleased to receive
it in addition to the completed form.
If you are not interested in having the plant built in
your community, we should appreciate your so advising us.
Ver truly yours
HARVEY 0. BAN
. Director
Enclosures :
1. Public Law 85-883
2. Forms (3 copies)
DATA FOR USE IN SELECTING
SITE FOR SEA WATER CONVERSION PLANT
IN CALIFORNIA TO BE BUILT UNDER PUBLIC LAW 85-883
(Selection to be made by Office of Saline Water)
Six types of information for site selection are
needed, each of which will contribute to the final decisions
as to location, type and size of the saline water conversion
plant. These are:
I. Type of process to be demonstrated. To be selected
by Off"i-c-e-167 Saline Water.
II. Locations where water is needed within reasonable
distances from sea water source. M nature of the uses,
quantity and quality, and physical and economic conditions
affecting these needs.
III. Availability of the raw product - sea water. The
proximity to sea water and information on shore—topography-
or existing structures affecting plant intake.
IV. Local factors affecting plant. As complete information
as posse eon all localactors which would affect or aid
in determining the type, size and economy of the plant to be
built and operated.
V. Cooperation. Type and extent of local public and pri-
vate fiF ncia�: support, and viewpoints of State or other
cooperating agencies.
VI.. Demonstration value. An appraisal of the value of the
plant as a. demonstration with respect to (a) likelihood that
future plants of this type will be needed and built locally
nd (b) accessibility to public as a demonstration.
Throughout this form give sources of your infor-
mation including literature references where possible. If
. there are several suitable areas for a plant site in your
community use a. separate form for each site. Additional
forms will be mailed upon request. Information common to
several sites need not be repeated, but should be marked "dt" .
D3
I . Name of county, city or community,
II. Name and title of responsible official
III. Reason for desiring conversion plant
IV. Location where water is needed., (Attach map of area,
indicating area served by existing water system, suggested
location of conversion plant, and suggested point of connec-
tion to reservoir or pipeline. Indicate ownership of property-
city, county, priva.te, . etc. )
A. Present usage of water (average gallons per day)
and approximate charges to consumers, per thou-
sand gallons:
1. Municipal (domestic, fire, etc. )
2. Industrial (process, cooling, waste treatment,
etc. )
3. Agricultural
4. Other (describe)
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B. Approximate cost of water prior to distribution to
users, per thousand gallons
C. Present water supply system
1. Existing supply (a complete description of the
existing sources of supply, treatment and dis-
tribution is necessary. Effect on sewerage
system should be considered. )
a. Name of community served
b. Population served
c. Ownership of water system
d. Sources of supply (per cent surface water,
ground water, purchased water, etc. )
e. Treatment (type and capacity of system)_
f. Distribution system gravity, pumped,
capacity, extent)
g. Estimated power requirements for pumping
(1) Raw water to treatment plant, kw
(2) Treated water to distribution, kw
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.I
h. Storage of treated water on distribution
system (capacities and number of tanks,
reservoirs, ground storage facilities)
i. Dual water system (sea water and fresh
water) - does one exist and what are the
respective capacities
D. Sewerage system (type and capacity,
E. Estimated future water needs of community, gallons
per year
1. Muni- : Indus- : Agri-
cipal : trial : cultura.l:Other:Total
In 1960
In 1962
In 1964
F. From what sources do you expect to meet those needs
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G. Quality of present water, total dissolved- solids, in
parts per million
1. Domestic
2. Industrial
3. Agricultural
4. Is present water quality 'satisfactory
If not, why.
V. Ocean water source
A. Description of suggested ocean water source (bay,
channel, estuary, etc. )
B. Suggested locations of sea water intake and brine
discharge. Indicate presence of piers or- break-
waters. Indicate locations of closest pollutant
discharge. (Show on map called for in Sec. IV) .
VI. Site characteristics (five to ten acres of land is
desirable for site) .
A. General description and area of land available for
site
B. Distance from suggested plant site to sea water
source
C. Elevation of site
D. Foundation conditions (types of soil and average
bearing values)
E. Is site subject to flooding?
VII. Local factors affecting plant.
A. Fuel supply and utilities (except for solar dis-
tillation, the cost of fuel comprises from to z
the total cost of desalting)
•
1. Types fuel available and costs (oil, gas, coal,
etc. Attach rate schedules)
2. Distance to nearest power supply and approximate
cost of power to industrial users (attach
schedules, including off-peak rates)
3 . Are water, telephone and sewerage facilities
available
B. Labor supply (skilled and non-skilled) . List con-
struction, operation, and maintenance trades avail-
able and approximate pay rates
C. Zoning regulations - are there any zoning restrictions
on location of plant on recommended site. If. so,
describe
D. Available waste energy sources near plant site
(locations, description and quantities)
1. Waste heat from industrial plants
2. Power plant exhaust steam.- or condenser cooling
water
E. Transportation or accessibility to area (water, rail,.
road, air)
F. Accessibility of plant site (distance to town, dis-
tance to nearest bus stop, population of town,
distance to nearest railroad freight depot, or rail-
road sidings)
G. Fire and police services in site area (describe)
H. Climatic conditions (average rainfall, winds, and
temperature extremes)
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VIII. Cooperation available
A. Land contribution
1. Will one of the suggested sites be made available
to the Federal Government free of charge? If not,
what is estimated cost of land
B. Financial contribution
1. Amount for first cost
2. Amount for operating and maintenance cost
C. Technical assistance in operating plant
IX. Product purchase value
A. Price that community would pay for water from plant,
delivered to reservoir, or distribution system
(indicate which)
X. Demonstration Value - An appraisal of the value of the
plant as a demonstration of the potentials of sea-water
conversion
A. Are ' ther any features about the proposed site location
or surroundings that would limit access to the plant.
by the .public for observation and study?
r
B. General future of community or area if abundant water
supply were available
C. Forecast of desirability and local 'capability of
constructing additional conversion plants if demon-
stration program leads to public acceptance
D. Public Law 85-883. provides th2t the conversion" plant
will be sold after September 2, 1965. Please comment
on likely buyers of the demonstration plant 'in your
area.
XI. List of reports, publications or other references used in
completing this form
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