Seawater => Drinking Water

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 14:37

Hi, I have done alot of looking around, but I can't find a seawater to drinking water RO machine that suits my needs... the closest I found is this:- http://www.villagemarine.com/images/...60.200.d.d.pdf

But this is to big and too expensive... really all I need is about a 10gal/day machine to make what I need (1-2 gal/day).

Has anyone seen something like this?(not hand pumped please)
(I've asked for a quote for a custom machine, but no doubt that will be expensive...)

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 15:36

I found this - West Marine: PowerSurvivor 40E Watermaker Product Display

But the price is about 10x what I'd expect to pay for something like this....

shadow · 29-01-2009, 15:59

That one from Jaz looks really cool and simple!! thanks for the heads up. I'll keep it on my shortlist!

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 16:02

LOL, no worries, yea I would certainly get it too if money wasn't an issue...
I do like the hand pumping option if power fails...

donw_s11 · 29-01-2009, 16:08

>I have done alot of looking around, but I can't find a seawater to drinking water RO machine that suits my needs... <snip> really all I need is about a 10gal/day machine to make what I need (1-2 gal/day).<

Other than the hand pumped model like the PUR Survivor you are unlikely to find a RO desalinating watermaker that makes less than about 10 gal/Hour--24x the flow rate you are asking for. The reason for this is that the filter and membrane units come in standard sizes.

You can buy a new 10gal/hr modular watermaker off of EBAY for about $2700 USD + shipping. That is about the lowest price that I have seen for a new unit.

If you are handy, you can build your own watermaker from off the shelf components for a little less than $2K USD. The advantage is that since you built it you can probably troubleshoot and fix it if something goes wrong.

If $2K seems expensive, consider that the high pressure (1000PSI) seawater pump goes for about $1200 USD by itself! It is basically a high dollar pressure washer pump except that the housing and pistons are made out of either high quality stainless steel, or silicon bronze. Considering the cost, I've often wondered if you couldn't get by with a lower cost pressure washer pump and flush it with fresh water after every use to keep it from corroding.

Don W.

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 16:11

Ok cheers, I'm thinking that adapting this one - 100Gal Reverse Osmosis system DISCUS MARINE TROPICAL on eBay, also Cleaning Water Treatments, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 12-Feb-09 01:18:09 GMT)

for use in seawater may be the only option for less than $500....

Jentine · 29-01-2009, 16:52

One to two gallons per day brought to mind a solar still until I noticed that you give your port as the UK. We all know that sunshine necessary to run a solar still is at a premium, but my time in the UK suggests that a rain collection system may be more in order for your location.

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 17:02

Thanks, but my destination is the Marquesas Islands, so possibly a combination of both may be an idea...

scotte · 29-01-2009, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Jaz

Ok cheers, I'm thinking that adapting this one - 100Gal Reverse Osmosis system DISCUS MARINE TROPICAL on eBay, also Cleaning Water Treatments, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 12-Feb-09 01:18:09 GMT)

for use in seawater may be the only option for less than $500....

Didn't this already get discussed in a different thread? A Reverse Osmosis system designed for keeping a freshwater aquarium clean is not going to give you freshwater from seawater - totally different deal.

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 18:23

Lol, yes we did, but the discussion here is about converting it for the use needed...

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 18:26

And that was the wrong link sorry, it should of been this - 100gall Per Day Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System on eBay, also, Water, Food Drink, Home Garden (end time 23-Feb-09 21:39:29 GMT)

And the main problem with using it at sea, for sea-water, according to the salesman I phoned, was that some of the parts aren't stainless steal.

**Pblais** · 29-01-2009, 18:27

Quote:

But this is to big and too expensive... really all I need is about a 10gal/day machine to make what I need (1-2 gal/day).

Salt water is made up of aqueousv salts. At the molecular level these are as small as it gets. It's already smaller than a virus. Filtration of salt water is really rocket science. High pressure with complex filtration is the name of the game and that takes power. There are a lots of systems out there but how much power and how much water separates them out. For just pure drinking a gallon or two per day will work. Survival isn't the same as living.

You'll find a lot of water maker threads here.

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 18:30

ok... though the final filter on this machine is 40x smaller than a virus... but i really don't know if thats small enough... theres probably a good reason why the ones specifically designed for the purpose are so expensive...

Captain Jaz · 29-01-2009, 18:32

But then it makes me think, that maybe if it was filtered though here first, and then through activated carbon, that may make it drinkable....

Nauticatarcher · 29-01-2009, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Jaz

Ok cheers, I'm thinking that adapting this one - 100Gal Reverse Osmosis system DISCUS MARINE TROPICAL on eBay, also Cleaning Water Treatments, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 12-Feb-09 01:18:09 GMT)

for use in seawater may be the only option for less than $500....

This system is designed for purifying domestic drinking water and will be no good for seawater

29-01-2009, 14:37	#1
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	Seawater => Drinking Water Hi, I have done alot of looking around, but I can't find a seawater to drinking water RO machine that suits my needs... the closest I found is this:- http://www.villagemarine.com/images/...60.200.d.d.pdf But this is to big and too expensive... really all I need is about a 10gal/day machine to make what I need (1-2 gal/day). Has anyone seen something like this?(not hand pumped please) (I've asked for a quote for a custom machine, but no doubt that will be expensive...) __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 15:36	#2
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	I found this - West Marine: PowerSurvivor 40E Watermaker Product Display But the price is about 10x what I'd expect to pay for something like this.... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 16:02	#4
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	LOL, no worries, yea I would certainly get it too if money wasn't an issue... I do like the hand pumping option if power fails... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 16:08	#5
donw_s11 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX, USA Boat: Irwin Citation 38 Posts: 40	Lots of possibilities >I have done alot of looking around, but I can't find a seawater to drinking water RO machine that suits my needs... <snip> really all I need is about a 10gal/day machine to make what I need (1-2 gal/day).< Other than the hand pumped model like the PUR Survivor you are unlikely to find a RO desalinating watermaker that makes less than about 10 gal/Hour--24x the flow rate you are asking for. The reason for this is that the filter and membrane units come in standard sizes. You can buy a new 10gal/hr modular watermaker off of EBAY for about $2700 USD + shipping. That is about the lowest price that I have seen for a new unit. If you are handy, you can build your own watermaker from off the shelf components for a little less than $2K USD. The advantage is that since you built it you can probably troubleshoot and fix it if something goes wrong. If $2K seems expensive, consider that the high pressure (1000PSI) seawater pump goes for about $1200 USD by itself! It is basically a high dollar pressure washer pump except that the housing and pistons are made out of either high quality stainless steel, or silicon bronze. Considering the cost, I've often wondered if you couldn't get by with a lower cost pressure washer pump and flush it with fresh water after every use to keep it from corroding. Don W.

29-01-2009, 16:11	#6
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	Ok cheers, I'm thinking that adapting this one - 100Gal Reverse Osmosis system DISCUS MARINE TROPICAL on eBay, also Cleaning Water Treatments, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home Garden (end time 12-Feb-09 01:18:09 GMT) for use in seawater may be the only option for less than $500.... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 15:59	#3
shadow Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 559	That one from Jaz looks really cool and simple!! thanks for the heads up. I'll keep it on my shortlist!

29-01-2009, 16:52	#7
Jentine Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cruising on the hook Boat: Beneteau 393, "Blackthorn" Posts: 591 Images: 5	One to two gallons per day brought to mind a solar still until I noticed that you give your port as the UK. We all know that sunshine necessary to run a solar still is at a premium, but my time in the UK suggests that a rain collection system may be more in order for your location. __________________ Jim We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." --Aristotle

29-01-2009, 17:02	#8
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	Thanks, but my destination is the Marquesas Islands, so possibly a combination of both may be an idea... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 18:23	#10
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	Lol, yes we did, but the discussion here is about converting it for the use needed... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 18:26	#11
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	And that was the wrong link sorry, it should of been this - 100gall Per Day Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System on eBay, also, Water, Food Drink, Home Garden (end time 23-Feb-09 21:39:29 GMT) And the main problem with using it at sea, for sea-water, according to the salesman I phoned, was that some of the parts aren't stainless steal. __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 18:30	#13
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	ok... though the final filter on this machine is 40x smaller than a virus... but i really don't know if thats small enough... theres probably a good reason why the ones specifically designed for the purpose are so expensive... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

29-01-2009, 18:32	#14
Captain Jaz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK. Boat: Columbia 27' Posts: 345 Images: 8	But then it makes me think, that maybe if it was filtered though here first, and then through activated carbon, that may make it drinkable.... __________________ 'Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance.' ~ Joshua Slocum

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