Water to be desalinated or otherwise purified is enriched by having
hydrate-forming substance dissolved into it, without causing
hydrate to form.
Hydrate kernels are brought into contact with the enriched water to be treated, and the
hydrate kernels grow outwardly into the water to be treated by incorporating dissolved molecules of the hydrate-forming substance and water from the water to be treated. Thus, substantially
solid, generally spherical hydrate masses, which are preferred for hydrate-based
desalination or purification, can be formed.
Hydrate-forming substances can be dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions not conducive to formation of hydrate, such that hydrate does not form, using vigorous means.
Hydrate-forming substance is also preferably dissolved into the water to be treated under conditions suitable for hydrate to form, but without causing hydrate to form, e.g., by being infused into the water to be treated using infusion membranes.