SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HYBRID DESALINATION AND CRYSTALLIZATION OF SEAWATER USING LASER INDUCED SHOCK WAVE NUCLEATION

A hybrid system and a method for hybrid desalination and crystallization of seawater is provided. The hybrid system includes a reverse osmosis unit configured to separate the seawater from dissolved solids, generate a first quantity of purified water, and generate a second quantity of wastewater. The hybrid system also includes a pressure exchanger configured to lower a pressure of the second quantity of wastewater to atmospheric pressure. The hybrid system further includes a laser induced shock wave crystallizer configured to trigger nucleation of the dissolved salts in the second quantity of wastewater, expel a third quantity of wastewater having a second concentration of dissolved salts, and expel a fourth quantity of salt crystals. The hybrid system also includes a collection vat for receiving the salt crystals. The hybrid system further includes a high pressure pump configured to recycle the third quantity of wastewater back to the reverse osmosis unit.