New Mexico firm uses wave power to produce fresh water

NEW MEXICO, July 12, 2017 - Atmocean Inc. and Reytek Corp. have produced a pump system that uses wave power to provide fresh water for drinking and farming in coastal cities. Buoys are used to send pressurized seawater onto shore where it is desalinated without the use of external energy. The idea to harness wave power in such a way came from Phil Kithil of Santa Fe, N.M. He was inspired by the powerful force of Hurricane Katrina. Working with scientists at Sandia National Laboratories through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance program, the two companies have tested and advanced the technology and moved it close to market. “We needed to know if we would get a dribble at the end or a gusher of pressurized water,” Kithil said. “With a gusher we could estimate expenses and profit. That’s how important the Sandia research was. We could take an interesting idea to business feasibility.” Small businesses can apply for help through the program once a year.