Why is 'reverse osmosis' preferred over other desalination methods for potable water production onboard ships?

Reverse osmosis (RO) is preferred over other desalination methods, such as distillation or electrodialysis, for potable water production onboard ships due to several key advantages. RO systems are more energy-efficient than distillation. Distillation requires significant heat energy to evaporate seawater, whereas RO uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane, separating it from dissolved salts and other impurities. This lower energy consumption is crucial on ships, where energy resources are limited. RO systems are also more compact and require less space than distillation plants of comparable capacity. Space is at a premium on ships, making the smaller footprint of RO systems a significant advantage. RO systems can operate at lower temperatures than distillation, reducing the risk of scaling and corrosion. Scaling occurs when minerals precipitate out of the water and deposit on heat transfer surfaces, reducing efficiency. RO membranes are less susceptible to this problem. RO systems are relatively easy to operate and maintain, requiring less operator attention than distillation plants. Finally, the quality of the water produced by RO is generally very high, meeting or exceeding the standards for potable water. While electrodialysis is also a membrane-based process, it is typically used for treating brackish water with lower salt concentrations than seawater, making RO a better choice for desalination onboard ships.