A power plant in Hebei province has officially launched a new generator, marking a significant step in its unique operational model. Unlike conventional power plants that rely on purchasing freshwater, this coastal facility has pioneered a self-sufficient approach by producing its own freshwater through seawater desalination, meeting all its production needs while also supplying dozens of nearby enterprises.

The region along the coast of Cangzhou has a relative scarcity of freshwater resources. Large-scale power generation units require water for cooling, and production processes demand substantial volumes of freshwater. Leveraging its coastal location, the Cangdong Power Plant treats the Bohai Sea as its dedicated "water source." The plant utilizes four sets of low-temperature multi-effect desalination equipment to convert seawater into freshwater, achieving a daily production capacity of 57,500 tons. This fundamentally resolves the bottleneck in production water supply.

A technician at the plant explained that the entire process employs a low-temperature multi-effect method. The "low-temperature" aspect refers to maintaining the reaction temperature below 70 degrees Celsius, which aims to reduce the risk of scaling on the equipment. The "multi-effect" component involves multiple evaporation units connected in series to work in coordination. "You can think of each 'effect' as a small kettle. They are connected and work together under negative pressure, boiling water faster and more efficiently. Seawater near its boiling point is heated and evaporated, and the resulting steam is then condensed to produce freshwater," the technician detailed.

Inside the plant, large white pipelines crisscross the facility. The technician noted that the freshwater produced daily is continuously transported through these pipelines, supplying over 40 surrounding companies involved in port logistics, energy and chemical industries, and grain and oil processing. "Process water and boiler water for industries like petrochemicals generally require high water quality. Tests have shown that the desalinated freshwater from this plant is pure and is less likely to cause scaling and corrosion issues," the technician added. The seawater desalination project at the Cangdong Power Plant has secured over 60 patents.

Since commencing large-scale water supply in 2012, the plant has cumulatively supplied over 110 million tons of water externally. Based on the water volume of Hangzhou's West Lake, which is approximately 14.29 million cubic meters, this output is roughly equivalent to the volume of eight West Lakes. Today, the Cangdong Power Plant has also become a 3A-rated industrial tourism site. Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery of Bohai Bay while experiencing the technological marvel of low-temperature multi-effect seawater desalination.