Tapping into the sea

The situation is alarming: More frequent droughts combined with less rainwater and groundwater – along with a global population that is constantly growing – are aggravating water shortages. Domestic users, industry, agriculture, and tourism are suffering existentially from climate change in some regions of the world. Action is needed: seawater desalination plants can alleviate the problem.

By 2050, about 40 percent of the world’s population is expected to be affected by water scarcity. The Middle East, South-east Asia, America, and Europe, especially Spain, are therefore putting increasing focus on the construction of desalination plants. The increasing demand leads in turn to desalination plants with higher capacities, while the sizing of the valves is also growing accordingly.

Digitalisation – a boon for the global market
Expectations are high: Different pressure ranges in water extraction, pre- and post-treatment, during reverse osmosis, as well as the corrosion potential of the salt water, place great demands on the valves. The industry is rising to the challenge with corresponding dimensioning and suitable materials. And is increasingly relying on digitalisation: This is because it increases efficiency, detects potential problems in the system at an early stage, and identifies opportunities for improvement. This makes systems more cost-effective, which is a plus for the global market as new plants become increasingly easy to finance. Turning to the sea for water supply is thus becoming a reality.

Explore the trends and highlights from the valve sector at VALVE WORLD EXPO from 3 to 5 December 2024 in Düsseldorf. Find the latest industry news and product information on the Internet portal at www.valveworldexpo.de.