DRDO develops indigenous seawater desalination technology for coast guard

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed indigenous technology for high-pressure seawater desalination to be used on Coast Guard ships. With modifications, the technology can also be used to desalinate seawater for domestic use by coastal communities.

The DRDO is under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The technology for the desalination plant in Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships is based on their operational requirements. This also addresses the challenge of ship stability when exposed to chloride ions in saline water. The development has been completed in a record time of eight months, the MoD said.

The new technology uses what is called the “nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane.” It has been developed by Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), the Kanpur-based laboratory of DRDO.

DMSRDE, along with the Indian Coast Guard, successfully carried out initial technical trials in the existing desalination plant of an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV) – a type of ship in the coast guard fleet.

The initial safety and performance trials of the polymeric membranes were found to be fully satisfactory. The final operational clearance will be given by the Coast Guard after 500 hours of operational testing. Presently, the unit is undergoing testing and trials onboard an OPV.

“This membrane will be a boon for desalination of seawater in coastal areas after certain modifications,” the MoD said.