Assignment 3

Que1.Provide a review on the increasing demand for fresh water and the role of Desalination in
meeting global water scarcity issues.

Ans. Rapid population growth and urbanization are two main drivers for the over-abstraction of
conventional freshwater resources in various parts of the world, which leads to the situation of water
scarcity (per capita availability <1000 m3/year). Predictions based on the World Bank projected
population data and the FAO AQUASTAT database for freshwater availability show that by 2050, 2
billion people living in 44 countries will likely suffer from water scarcity, of which 95% may live in
developing countries.

Increasing Demand for Fresh Water:

1. Cause: Population Growth and Urbanization

- Rapid population growth and urbanization lead to higher water consumption for domestic,
industrial, and agricultural purposes.

2. Impact: Stress on Water Resources

- Over-extraction of groundwater and surface water contributes to depletion, leading to water

scarcity in various regions.

3. Solutions:

- Implement efficient water management practices, including conservation measures and smart
irrigation techniques.

- Promote public awareness about responsible water usage.

Role of Desalination:

1. Cause: Limited Freshwater Sources

- Conventional freshwater sources like rivers and lakes are insufficient to meet the rising demand.

2. Impact: Diversification of Water Sources

- Desalination provides an alternative by tapping into abundant seawater resources, reducing

dependence on traditional sources.

3. Solutions:

- Invest in research and development to enhance desalination technologies, making them more
energy-efficient and cost-effective.

- Integrate desalination with renewable energy sources to mitigate environmental impact.

Challenges in Desalination:

1. Cause: High Energy Requirements

 - Traditional desalination methods, particularly reverse osmosis, demand significant energy input.

2. Impact: Environmental Concerns

- Increased energy consumption contributes to carbon emissions, raising environmental issues.

3. Solutions:

- Develop and deploy energy-efficient desalination technologies.

- Explore alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind, to power desalination plants.

Cost Considerations:

1. Cause: High Initial Investment and Maintenance Costs

- Establishing and maintaining desalination facilities involve substantial financial resources.

2. Impact: Affordability and Accessibility

- High costs may limit access to desalinated water, especially in economically challenged regions.

3. Solutions:

- Foster public-private partnerships to attract investments and share costs.

- Implement policies to make desalination economically viable, ensuring broad access to treated
water.

Balancing the demand for fresh water through a combination of sustainable practices, efficient
desalination technologies, and strategic policies is vital to address global water scarcity challenges
effectively.

Figure 1:Global desalination capacity with regards to

desalination technology and RO source water

Que2. Explore the concept of smart water management and how technology is

Being used to monitor, control, and optimize water usage in urban and rural areas

Settings.

Ans. Smart water management systems can provide a more resilient and efficient water supply
system, reducing costs and improving sustainability. High-technology solutions for the water sector
include digital meters and sensors, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and
geographic information systems (GIS).

“Why Choose Smart Technology for Water Systems?

Smart technology transforms traditional water and wastewater systems into instrumented,
interconnected, and intelligent infrastructures.

Instrumented: Capable of detecting, sensing, measuring, and recording data.

Interconnected: Enables seamless communication and interaction with system operators and
managers.

Intelligent: Empowered with the ability to analyze situations, facilitate swift responses, and optimize
troubleshooting solutions.”

Source: You Kwangtae , CEO, UnU Civil & Environmental Engineering, Republic of Korea
Technology is revolutionizing water management in both urban and rural settings by enabling
monitoring, control, and optimization of water usage:

Urban Areas:

1. Smart Meters and Sensors:

- Installation of digital meters and sensors allows real-time monitoring of water consumption,
helping identify leaks and reduce wastage.

2. IoT Devices:

- Internet of Things (IoT) devices provide connectivity for data collection, enabling authorities to
track usage patterns and make informed decisions.

3. SCADA Systems:

- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems offer centralized control, allowing
operators to manage water infrastructure efficiently.

4. GIS Technology:

- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) aid in spatial analysis, facilitating better planning and
management of urban water resources.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/PGq4968SV7sFkBSN8

Rural Areas:

1. Precision Agriculture:
 - Technologies like precision agriculture employ sensors to optimize irrigation, ensuring efficient
water use in farming practices.

2. Remote Sensing:

- Remote sensing tools monitor crop health and water requirements, enabling farmers to make
informed decisions on irrigation.

3. Weather Forecasting Integration:

- Integration with weather forecasting data assists in planning irrigation schedules based on climatic
conditions, optimizing water usage.

4. Community Engagement Platforms:

- Implementing technology platforms for community engagement helps raise awareness and
educate rural populations about responsible water use.

Source : https://images.app.goo.gl/M7gWtt8VL2EmKceD9

In both urban and rural areas, the integration of technology facilitates data-driven decision-making,
reduces water wastage, and contributes to the sustainable management of water resources.

Que3: Raw water sample contains 350 ppm Ca2+, 144 PPM Mg2+, 366 ppm HCO3 and45 ppm
dissolved CO2. Calculate:

a)Amount of lime (80% pure) and soda (90% pure) required for 10000 L

Water.
b)Volume of EDTA solution (0.01 M) required to determine total hardness of

100 ml of the above water by complexometric titration.

 Que4: Compare the zeolite water softening method with ion exchange water softening Highlighting
the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and applicability of each method In different scenarios.

Ans.

Zeolite water softening Ion Exchange Water Softening

1)Regeneration Frequency: 1)Regeneration Process:

Requires periodic regeneration to restore its ion Requires periodic regeneration by backwashing the resin
exchange capacity. bed with a brine solution.

Regeneration typically involves flushing the zeolite bed The regeneration process is essential for maintaining the
with a sodium chloride solution. resin’s effectiveness.

2)Selective Ion Exchange: 2)Continuous Operation:

Zeolites may selectively target certain ions, which can Can operate continuously, providing a constant supply of
be an advantage in specific applications. softened water without interruption.

The selectivity depends on the specific type of zeolite Suitable for applications demanding a consistent and
used. reliable softened water supply.

3)Maintenance: 3)Salt Consumption:

Generally requires less maintenance compared to Involves the use of salt (sodium chloride) during the
some ion exchange systems. regeneration process.

Suitable for scenarios where simplicity in operation is a Monitoring and managing salt consumption is crucial for
priority. efficient operation.

4)Water Quality: 4) Water quality:

May result in water with a slightly higher sodium Produces water with low sodium content after
content due to the exchange process. regeneration.

5)Footprint: 5) Footprints: May require more space due to the larger

resin tanks, especially in industrial setups.
Generally has a smaller physical footprint, making it
suitable for space-constrained installations. 6) Environmental impact:

6) Environmental impact: The use of salt in regeneration may pose environmental

concerns if not properly managed.
Generally considered environmentally friendly with
minimal waste generation. 7) Scalability: Highly scalable and effective for large-scale
water softening requirements.
7) Scalability: More suitable for small to medium-scale
applications.
References:

1. https://chat.openai.com/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020309403
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9029386/