Desalination of saltwater is a process frequently used by ships at sea and in coastal communities to make drinkable water and as a way of harvesting sea salt. In the typical process of distillation, the salt in the solution of saltwater is separated from the rest of the solution via the application of heat, and the evaporated water is then cooled in a condenser to return it to a liquid form. However, if you are not concerned with collecting the evaporated water, separating the salt from the salt water is as simple as gently boiling it.
- Wire gauze
- Tripod
- Basin
- Bunsen burner
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Instructions
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1
Place the wire gauze on top of the tripod, the basin on top of the gauze and the Bunsen burner underneath the tripod.
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2
Pour the saltwater into the basin.
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3
Light the Bunsen burner and set it to a very low flame. Allow the water to completely evaporate. This may take several hours, depending on the size of the saltwater solution. When the water is completely boiled off, the basin will be full of the salt crystals from the saltwater solution.
