The Times of India               11.05.2013

Desalination plant to come up at Tuticorin

CHENNAI: A desalination plant that will convert warm water discharged by a thermal plant into fresh water is coming up at Tuticorin, scientists at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) have said.

A demonstration plant has been set up at north Chennai thermal power station, NIOT director M A Atmanand said during national technology day celebrations at NIOT on Saturday. The warm water discharged from the thermal plant would be converted to freshwater that can be used again by the plant.

NIOT is also eyeing more research activities at its upcoming campus in Andhra Pradesh. "The campus near Nellore is almost complete," said Atmanand. The campus will carry out more experiments due to its proximity to the sea.

The defence research and development organization (DRDO) will work in tandem with NIOT to explore underwater research opportunities, said Avinash Chander, director of advance systems laboratory (ASL) of DRDO.