A new low-temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) plant is being set up at a lignite-fired power station in southern India.
Construction of a 2 Ml/d, prototype LTTD seawater plant is underway in Tuticorin at a 1,000 MW power plant owned by state-run miner Neyveli Lignite.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), has been working on LTTD technology that evaporates surface seawater low pressure and the vapour is then condensed using the colder deep sea water.
Three other LTTD plants have been commissioned in the country, at Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep. The Lakshadweep administration has requested NIOT assistance in setting up similar plants in remaining six islands.