China's Largest Seawater Desalination Test Facility Operational

The largest seawater desalination test facility in China has officially begun operations in Tianjin. The facility has successfully completed the testing and verification of the first batch of domestically manufactured positive displacement rotor-type energy recovery devices.

Energy recovery devices are considered the "heart" of reverse osmosis seawater desalination systems, as their energy conversion efficiency and mixing indicators directly affect the system's energy consumption. The successful completion of these tests provides crucial data to reduce reliance on overseas verification for domestic high-end equipment and accelerate technological iteration.

The test facility is the largest platform in China for seawater desalination pilot projects and industrial verification, covering a full process chain. It utilizes an "ultrafiltration + reverse osmosis" dual-membrane short-process technology, with individual units having a capacity of 10,000 tons per day.

Currently, China produces over 3 million tons of freshwater from seawater daily, with a steady annual production growth rate of 10% to 15%. Previously, complete sets of seawater desalination equipment were imported and expensive. Since 2023, China has possessed the capability to domestically produce seawater desalination equipment, at prices approximately 30% lower than foreign counterparts.

The Tianjin Research Institute of Seawater Desalination and Comprehensive Utilization, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, has established this national-level public testing platform to meet market demands. The platform covers an area of over 2,000 square meters and is capable of testing critical performance indicators such as energy consumption, water output quality, and operational lifespan, issuing authoritative test reports.