Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the first preferred embodiment, a reverse osmosis system containing one or more reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”) is supported by a platform on the sea floor. In the second preferred embodiment, a cylinder is supported by a flotation device, and the reverse osmosis system is retained on the cylinder. In both the embodiments, an elongated brine return runs downhill on the sea floor. The RODs each contain a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the first preferred embodiment, a reverse osmosis system containing one or more reverse osmosis devices (“RODs”) is supported by a platform on the sea floor. In the second preferred embodiment, a cylinder is supported by a flotation device, and the reverse osmosis system is retained on the cylinder. In both the embodiments, an elongated brine return runs downhill on the sea floor. The RODs each contain a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing salt from seawater to produce potable freshwater. In the preferred embodiments, a large metal cylinder, with open top and bottom ends, is anchored to the sea floor offshore. Several pressure hulls are attached to the side of the cylinder. Within each pressure hull there are several reverse osmosis devices (RODs), each containing a membrane that will allow water molecules, but not sodium and chlorine ions, to pass through. Due to the pressure differential, freshwater passes through the membranes by reverse osmosis, and is pumped out of the pressure hulls to a storage facility onshore. After equilibrium is reached, the pumps for the brine can be turned off, as gravity will cause brine to flow down from the pressure hulls through an opening in the bottom of the cylinder.