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.
