VI. BRACKISH WATER TEST FACILITY The proposed membrane program deals primarily with engineering develop ment and much of the program involves construction, testing, and operation of bench scale equipment, pilot plant modules and complete experimental test bed plants. The membrane processes hold most promise for initial application to the conversion of low and moderately saline waters. For this reason, the first goal in the membrane program will be the development of the most efficient and economical process for the conversion of inland brackish water supplies. To attain that goal, it will be necessary to test proposed processes and system designs and to obtain operating and economic data for each of the advanced design concepts selected for intensive development. Since processes and designs will be competing with each other, it will be necessary that the test modules and the processes embodied in them be operated under standard conditions. To insure that standard conditions are provided, we are requesting funds for the establishment of an inland brackish water test site to provide adequate facilities for the simultaneous operation of between 6 and 12 pilot and test bed plants. The daily feed water requirements for those plants will vary between 50,000 and 2 million gallons per day and facilities will need to be provided to handle the disposal of up to 1 million gallons per day of brine. Senator ANDERSON. I have one more witness who has asked to be heard, Mr. Harold R. Hay. Please come forward, sir. STATEMENT OF HAROLD R. HAY, MENLO PARK, CALIF. Mr. HAY. Mr. Chairman and members of this committee, I appreciate the opportunity to come before your committee today. Several members of this committee yesterday expressed concern for the plight of individual ranchers who would be satisfied with considerably less than the millions of gallons per day of water produced by the five principal desalination processes so far discussed at this hearing. These ranchers would be satisfied with a few thousands of gallons for their cattle and, at times, a few gallons for themselves. Though I represent only myself in making this presentation, I feel as though I were speaking-with some familiarity-for tens of thousands of ranchers and for millions of the world's poor. Also, because, to the best of my knowledge, no one else has referred to it, I should particularly like to discuss a desalination process which has much promise for the individual need but which has lost support in the battle for Government research funds. I would like to read briefly from the 1962 publication of the National Research Council titled "Desalination Research and the Water Problem." As was emphasized by the President (John F. Kennedy) the opportunity of providing developing countries in arid regions with saline water conversion facilities as part of our foreign aid program is most appealing. Supplies of good water can mean more, and perhaps cost less, than many other things we might do for peoples whose living standards are depressed by lack of water. A recent congressional report comments as follows: "To the United States, which has a vital stake in seeking their good will and in cementing pro-Western attitudes of peoples in underdeveloped lands, the means for providing the know-how and equipment for the production of pure water could be a telling item in international relations to say nothing of economic factors." *** Cheap solar stills will be more appropriate than large units requiring a great deal of electric power, the reverse of the situation in this country. But before discussing solar stills, I must, with particular instances in mind, take exception to a statement made here yesterday, by a corporation executive to the general effect that nothing of use to him had been gained from the many research contracts issued to others. Unquestionably, his research men, just as I, look for and use that seed of new knowledge which is present in any competent research dealing with the subject of water. Since large corporations have felt it helpful to this committee to explain their background and qualifications, I am likewise motivated to do so as an individual. Large corporations have profited to the extent of over a million dollars per year through a wood preservation process I developed to success. A second development of mine is also used throughout the world and deals with water purification but not with desalination. In addition to conducting research for large companies in the United States, I have been sent abroad by the United States, by the United Nations, by one of our largest research institutions, and by a private company. During this foreign experience, I have lived in India, Colombia, Venezuela, and Sweden. I have seen the parched and hungry whom I cannot forget. It is with them in mind that I suggest this committee's attention to the requirements of individuals as well as of cities. Some of the parched individuals also exist in the United States in conditions similar to a disaster area. It seems ironic to suggest that if one American were to be lost on a desert, whether it be in my West or in a foreign land, immediate assistance would be given by our Government at considerable expense. Abroad, an American consul would initiate a search, call on the nearest military agency for search planes, ask for a helicopter if the man were spotted, and put him in a nearby military hospital if necessary because of the ravages of thirst. This is commendable care of that individual. But today it is seemingly impossible to get that much money from the prime Government source to investigate solar distillation processes which could benefit millions of individuals. While much wasteful research has been done, in my opinion, some of this research has provided me with data for designing novel solar stills which may be yet lower the cost and increase the efficiency to the point of becoming a breakthrough. Recently, the Church World Service installed a solar still in Greece and together with the Greek Government discussed building such solar stills on 100 to 200 islands. The other processes discussed at this hearing would be totally uneconomical for these small parched islands. The first still in Greece was built according to plans from one of our largest corporations, which had collaborated with the Office of Saline Water. Yet that still has encountered problems and I am now advised that major design changes are being made to test one of several new principles which I have originated without help from others. This causes me to recall that creative research is the essence of breakthroughs and I do not believe that such research must come from large corporations, from large research institutes, or from large Government agencies. These are not the sources of creativity though they may be the best means for fulfillment. Creativity surges from the individual within such organizations and it can just as easily, or perhaps more easily, come from the creative individual who is not within large organizations. The individual does not need, and perhaps should not have, much funds if he is to confine his creativity to the economic level of the thirsty. May I suggest that this committee consider the reestablishment of support for solar distillation processes. And incidentally, solar processes are the first nuclear processes that have ever been developed. Today, the door is shut on new ideas. If as little as 5 percent, or even 1 percent, of Government funds designated for desalination were specifically earmarked for solar designs, with the big five processes getting the rest, there would be sound encouragement for new and creative thinking in the solar energy area. I would propose a restriction, however, that this precious drop of sustaining funds should not be used for rehashing old ideas, and that new ideas should not be evaluated by those whose previous Government grants have proved unproductive. Rather, I would propose that the individual should find a receptively open door, if he can show that his work will cost less and has equal promise when impartially compared with that of large research organizations which long ago had to give up the concept of collective creativity by a brain trust. I would further ask that in individualistic America an open door be maintained for simple processes but that regard be given to the quotation, "Oversimplification is the evil of small minds." It is not true that creativity, research, and invention today are beyond the means of the individual in all fields; it is not true that solar distillation is an overworked, washed-out area of no promise; it is not true that the United States should think solely in terms of desalination plants with capacities of at least a million gallons per day, or as we have just heard, 300 million gallons per day. Australia is extensively studying solar stills-as is Israel. In the United States, we too have arid areas of marginal water supply where an additional bit of fresh water could make all the difference. The poor we shall always have with us-and they need water. The sun we shall always have with us-and it takes water away. But with the help of this committee, and with some brain stretching by creative individuals, the sun can be made to give back enough of that water to make this a better world for many. Solar stills must be made cheaper. Each year the cost of plastics, so important to modern solar stills, is being reduced, their properties improved, and their contribution to a breakthrough in solar distillation more certain. Solar stills in no way compete with those other areas of desalination research aimed at providing millions of gallons of water per day. Research on solar stills will continue though it has recently encountered rough going. There is a need-improvements will eventually meet the need. If this committee will help, there is the certainty of shortening the time required and/or enlarging the benefits resulting to those whose only hope lies in solar distillation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator ANDERSON. Mr. Hay, thank you for an interesting statement. I do appreciate your emphasis on the fact that individuals need some attention in this whole subject. I thank you for it. Mr. HAY. Thank you kindly. Senator ANDERSON. Mr. Joseph F. Sinnott, president of the San Diego Gas & Electric Co., submitted the following statement and asked that it be printed in the record. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC Co.'s EXPERIENCES WITH SEA WATER CONVERSION The company's interest and active participation in the field of sea water conversion and evaporator operation dates back many years. Due to the geographic location of the company's service territory, the rapid population growth (which began about 1940) and the limited natural fresh water supply, it became obvious to management that research and development in the art of sea water conversion was most essential. With concern for the economic well-being of the area we serve, and in the overall public interest, the company's engineers have, for many years, been actively engaged in studies concerning projects designed to supply both natural fresh water and converted sea water at the most economical level. With the passing of time, our interest in the field of sea water conversion has greatly accelerated. In addition to our work in connection with the multistage flash evaporator, we have been closely associated with a reverse osmosis demonstration plant. We are also working with a third process not yet ready for announcement. During the period when plans were being formulated for the first Point Loma plant, or engineers worked with those who were responsible for the location and design selection. We followed with interest the development and operation of the Point Loma unit. A very brief summary of the company's more recent activities in the field of sea water conversion is as follows: 1. South Bay generating unit No. 2 at Chula Vista, Calif., provided our first flash evaporator to supply water for boiler makeup. This was placed in operation in 1962. This is the second such evaporator in the United States for the supply of boiler makeup. 2. To gain further experience and to bring about further improvements in design, the second such flash evaporator was installed with generating unit No. 3 in 1964. 3. Our work is the field of multistage evaporators resulted in a firm proposal which the company made in August of 1963. At that time we announced to the local water agencies our readiness to install a 25-million-gallon-per-day multistage flash evaporator which would be supplied with "bleed" steam from our South Bay generating unit No. 2. Some additional details of this offer may be of interest. While South Bay unit No. 2 was not designed specifically as a generating unit which would also serve a 25-million-gallon-per-day flash evaporator, our engineers noted that the steam quality and quantity at the crossover between the intermediate and low-pressure turbines approached very nearly the ideal situation. After some detailed studies by our engineers, Westinghouse Corp., was invited to submit a proposal for a 25-million-gallon-per-day sea water flash evaporator to serve with South Bay unit No. 2. Following a review of the work performed by company engineers, the Westinghouse Corp. submitted a firm "turn key" proposal to provide the evaporator plant together with all necessary auxiliary equipment including a product delivery pump designed to operate at a discharge head of 100 feet. It should be noted that the generating unit involved is rated at 150,000 kilowatts, the average fuel cost at that time was 35.9 cents per million British thermal units. The conversion plant was charged with its full share of power (both electric and steam), operation, maintenance and fixed charges (based on ownership by one or more of the local water agencies). The final cost of the converted water was set at 41.1 cents per 1,000 gallons, a firm price. For a more detailed review of the proposal, we have attached an analysis which was formulated after presentation and evaluation by those concerned. 4. After a long period of study and laboratory development, conducted by Dr. Glenn G. Havens of Havens Industries, our company joined Dr. Havens to make possible a reverse osmosis pilot plant. In April of 1964, after a successful period of operation, we joined Dr. Havens in a public announcement at which time the demonstration plant was shown to leaders in Government, industry and business. Credit for the conversion element goes to Dr. Havens who has now been joined by the Richfield Corp. We are continuing our work with Dr. Havens and our serious interest in what appears to be the most promising development of the time in sea water conversion. 5. On December 9, 1964, in a letter to Secretary Udall, company president J. F. Sinnott offered the U.S. Department of Interior a unique opportunity. This offer was made in the public interest to assist with the proposed West Coast Sea Water Conversion Test Facility. Due to the design and location of our South Bay powerplant, we believe the proposed facility can be installed and operated at an economical level not possible at any other site. In addition, there is a ready market for any product water plus multiple uses for the water in industry, agriculture and for domestic purposes. Other uses are possible in the immediate vicinity. There are some valuable domestic water wells nearby which have been rendered useless by reason of salt water intrusion. These wells may be rehabilitated through a process of "charging" with converted sea water. Also, a nearby salt works would no doubt benefit if the discharged brine were made available for their evaporation ponds. 6. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. joined with the city of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison Co., in preparing and presenting a proposal to the metropolitan water district. This proposal, presented on April 8, 1965, opens the way to build and operate a nuclear powerplant-sea water conversion complex. The output of the sea water conversion plant would be 150 million gallons per day. 7. While details cannot be announced at this time, the company is currently planning with a prominent firm the building and operation of a second reverse osmosis prototype plant. 8. As a member of the Edison Electric Institute, the company is actively participating in a research project to evaluate sea water conversion and water supply. Assuming for the moment that the final results, brought forth by research and development, indicate clearly that multistage flash distillation will be the most economical means to convert sea water, it does not necessarily follow that a dualpurpose plant will be employed in every case. To determine the proper heat source, it will be necessary to consider in detail the requirements for water and electric energy and coordinate the design of both elements of plant. l'eaks and valleys of demand, the storage of water, interruptibility of waterplant and many other factors loom large as we approach the time when a dual-purpose plant must be considered and built. While it is too early to predict with any real assurance, our work with the reverse osmosis process indicates that this method may have greater potential than formerly believed possible. The simplicity of design. the low power consumption and the successful experience with the membrane have been very encouraging. It is possible that reverse osmosis may indeed replace flash evaporation as the most practical and economical process. The foregoing is just a small part of that which makes the proposed test facility "a must." Not until this facility has had time to "prove" many concepts and designs will it be safe or prudent to proceed with a plant of any magnitude. EVALUATION OF DUAL-PURPOSE SEA WATER CONVERSION PLANTS In August of 1963 the San Diego Gas & Electric Co. proposed to the water agencies in its service territory that the company could modify its South Bay generating unit 2 to supply sufficient steam to operate a 25 million gallons per day sea water conversion plant. The company offered to cooperate with any of the agencies which might wish to construct and operate the waterplant. Estimated water costs. Estimated costs for producing water with this dual-purpose plant arrangement were as follows: Centa 1,000 gallons Fixed charges (waterplant only $13,850,000 at 6-percent fixed charge rate) __ 10. 1 Operation and maintenance Chemicals--- Electric energy and waterplant pumping. Total cost--- 1.8 3.9 6.8 18.5 41. 1 The company was confident that this cost estimate was realistic in that the three principal items were known with a good degree of certainty. The company had in hand a proposal from Westinghouse Electric Corp. for turnkey construction of the 25 million gallons per day multistage flash evaporator unit. Cost of |