Abstract
The use of an alternating-current (AC) electric field is investigated as a method for promoting the concentration of seawater. The effects are investigated based on the rate of weight loss of seawater in an AC electric field of 3.6kV/m, and at temperatures of 10, 25 and 50°C.Increasing the temperature results in an increase in the evaporation rates by 1.5-5.2times the untreated rate in the first hour, while increasing the initial concentration of seawater reduces the evaporation rate. Results obtained at a field strength 3.6kV/cm under ambient conditions of 25°C and 50% relative humidity are comparable and in some cases better than those at 50°C, suggesting that the application of an intense AC electric field may be an attractive alternative to conventional thermal processing.
