Desalination by natural freezing

This paper presents a technique for desalination by natural freezing that can be used in relatively warm climates with ambient temperatures above freezing. The reasons for the freezing of water are discussed and theoretical calculations are given to predict the time required to reach the freezing temperature. Experimental results are given which show that the technique works. The melted ice water from a single freezing without a wash step has three to six times less salt than the feed. Possible suitable locations, a preliminary economic analysis, and methods of increasing the product purity by washing the ice are discussed.