Manually Operated Portable Desalination Plant for Army Patrols Operating in Island Territories

Army patrols are mandated to dominate own island territories like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep islands and the coastal areas, by patrolling and setting up of temporary bases. Logistics of maintaining the troops on ground for the period of patrols (ptls) /Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) therefore gain importance. The troops varying from 10-12 pers in a small patrol to 20-25 pers in a large patrol, have to be self- contained as there are no local resources that can be exploited. Potable water is one of the major issues which affects the endurance of such patrols/TOBs. There is abundance of sea water but potable water is almost non-existent on most of the islands and available only during rains and in very limited quantity.

There is an urgent and important requirement of developing a manually operated, portable desalination plant that can be used by the ptls/TOBs. The development of the system will ease out the logistics in carrying water and will enhance the endurance/survival both on land and at sea.