Water Desalination & Treatment
is a breakthrough autonomous floating desalination system using modular hexagonal cells ("sotas") deployed on seawater surfaces.
Technology brief
is a breakthrough autonomous floating desalination system using modular hexagonal cells ("sotas") deployed on seawater surfaces.
The challenge
Primary use cases: coastal desalination (islands, remote communities); emergency water supply (disaster response); agricultural irrigation (arid regions); municipal water supply (coastal cities).
Industries and users: water utilities, coastal governments, emergency services, arid-region agriculture, island communities.
Scale: modular cells, customizable in size, scaling up to multi-hectare farms; unlimited scalability.
ARBOK solution
SOTARIX is a breakthrough autonomous floating desalination system using modular hexagonal cells ("sotas") deployed on seawater surfaces. Harnesses ~95 % solar thermal energy for continuous evaporation-based desalination without external power, chemicals, or waste. Each cell is self-contained; multiple cells form scalable "farms" for unlimited water volumes. Zero brine discharge; produces potable-grade desalinated water at near-zero cost (post-equipment). Operates 0–40° latitude (tropical/subtropical); energy-independent; fully automated. Protected by 8+ international patents.
Floating pontoon cells contain open-surface design that captures solar heat on seawater directly. Heat causes evaporation; water vapor rises and condenses on internal surfaces (cooler), producing freshwater that flows to collection system. No membranes, no high pressure, no chemicals. Modular design allows independent cell operation or farm-scale integration. Fully automated; pumps (powered by integrated solar panels or wind) transport collected water to shore/storage. Process operates day and night (reduced nighttime output).
Market and application
Global water scarcity: 2+ billion people lacking reliable freshwater access. Coastal + island communities represent €50–100B addressable market over 10 years. SOTARIX's zero-cost operation and modularity position it uniquely vs. RO, distillation, electrodialysis. Estimated market capture: €5–20B for coastal desalination retrofits globally.
CAPEX: on the order of €500k–2M for a representative pilot-scale farm — modest per m³ of installed daily capacity.
OPEX: near-zero (solar only; no consumables).
Water cost: €0.01–0.05/m³ (vs. RO €0.50–1.50/m³).
Payback: 3–6 years typical depending on local freshwater scarcity premium.
ROI: 20–40 % annual post-payback (cost avoidance vs. conventional desalination).
Use cases
Primary use cases: coastal desalination (islands, remote communities); emergency water supply (disaster response); agricultural irrigation (arid regions); municipal water supply (coastal cities).
Industries and users: water utilities, coastal governments, emergency services, arid-region agriculture, island communities.
Scale: modular cells, customizable in size, scaling up to multi-hectare farms; unlimited scalability.
Steps: site selection (coastal location, 0–40° latitude, wave-protected bay preferred) → cell fabrication → pontoon assembly → anchoring/positioning → water pipeline to shore/storage → automation commissioning → autonomous 24/7 operation. Minimal training required; mostly hands-off operation.
Standalone floating systems; integrates with shore-based storage; pairs with wind/solar power for autonomous operation; compatible with existing water distribution infrastructure.
SOTARIX is a breakthrough autonomous floating desalination system using modular hexagonal cells ("sotas") deployed on seawater surfaces. Harnesses ~95 % solar thermal energy for continuous evaporation-based desalination without external power, chemicals, or waste. Each cell is self-contained; multiple cells form scalable "farms" for unlimited water volumes. Zero brine discharge; produces potable-grade desalinated water at near-zero cost (post-equipment). Operates 0–40° latitude (tropical/subtropical); energy-independent; fully automated. Protected by 8+ international patents.
Primary use cases: coastal desalination (islands, remote communities); emergency water supply (disaster response); agricultural irrigation (arid regions); municipal water supply (coastal cities).
Industries and users: water utilities, coastal governments, emergency services, arid-region agriculture, island communities.
Scale: modular cells, customizable in size, scaling up to multi-hectare farms; unlimited scalability.
Floating pontoon cells contain open-surface design that captures solar heat on seawater directly. Heat causes evaporation; water vapor rises and condenses on internal surfaces (cooler), producing freshwater that flows to collection system. No membranes, no high pressure, no chemicals. Modular design allows independent cell operation or farm-scale integration. Fully automated; pumps (powered by integrated solar panels or wind) transport collected water to shore/storage. Process operates day and night (reduced nighttime output).
Cell size: modular and customizable to site and demand.
Throughput per cell: 5–50 m³/day (depends on size, solar intensity, ambient temperature).
Efficiency: ~95 % solar thermal energy utilization.
Cost of desalinated water: ~€0/m³ (post-equipment amortization; zero consumables).
Geographic range: 0–40° latitude (optimal in tropical/subtropical zones with 1.8 kW/h per m² solar intensity).
Brine discharge: 0 % (zero-waste process; no concentration byproduct).
Automation: fully automated; minimal attendants required.
Modularity: cells operate independently or in coordinated farm arrays.
Hexagonal floating pontoon hull built from durable, corrosion-resistant materials suited to continuous seawater exposure; open-surface solar collection zone; internal condensation and collection surfaces; automated water extraction and pumping system; integrated solar power for pump operation; modular interconnects; control automation software. Scalable from individual cell to multi-hectare farm.
Technical: 95 % solar utilization; zero waste; zero chemicals; fully automated; modular/scalable; operates day/night.
Economic: near-zero water cost (post-equipment); no consumables (membranes, reagents); minimal maintenance; no land lease required (floats on water).
Environmental: zero brine discharge; zero emissions; completely "green"; eligible for sustainability grants.
Strategic: energy-independent; deployable anywhere in tropical/subtropical zones; suitable for disaster response; addresses global freshwater crisis.
Standalone floating systems; integrates with shore-based storage; pairs with wind/solar power for autonomous operation; compatible with existing water distribution infrastructure.
Steps: site selection (coastal location, 0–40° latitude, wave-protected bay preferred) → cell fabrication → pontoon assembly → anchoring/positioning → water pipeline to shore/storage → automation commissioning → autonomous 24/7 operation. Minimal training required; mostly hands-off operation.
TRL 6 — Demonstrated in relevant environment. Prototype cell(s) built and operated; solar desalination performance validated by an independent academic research institute; water quality confirmed; scalability calculations completed. Ready for pilot-scale farm deployment with investor partnership.
Global water scarcity: 2+ billion people lacking reliable freshwater access. Coastal + island communities represent €50–100B addressable market over 10 years. SOTARIX's zero-cost operation and modularity position it uniquely vs. RO, distillation, electrodialysis. Estimated market capture: €5–20B for coastal desalination retrofits globally.
CAPEX: on the order of €500k–2M for a representative pilot-scale farm — modest per m³ of installed daily capacity.
OPEX: near-zero (solar only; no consumables).
Water cost: €0.01–0.05/m³ (vs. RO €0.50–1.50/m³).
Payback: 3–6 years typical depending on local freshwater scarcity premium.
ROI: 20–40 % annual post-payback (cost avoidance vs. conventional desalination).
Geographic limitation (0–40° latitude only; unsuitable for polar/temperate zones). Seasonal solar variation (winter output lower; mitigated by farm sizing). Saltwater corrosion management (materials selection critical). Regulatory approval (new technology; permitting timelines uncertain). Anchoring/mooring in variable sea conditions.
ARBOK-VC (Vacuum Cracking) · Vacuum Osmosis · Solar Energy Systems · Autonomous Water Systems
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Partnership pathway