Desalination Technology Solutions

Excited to share our collaborative work published in Science Magazine: “More Resilient Polyester Membranes for High-Performance Reverse Osmosis Desalination.” For nearly half a century, thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes have been the gold standard for desalination and wastewater reuse. However, the polyamide film rapidly deteriorates in the presence of chlorine, thus preventing the use of chlorine or other oxidants for biofouling control. The development of a chlorine-resistant RO membrane has been the industry's holy grail for the past 50 years. In this paper, we molecularly design a novel polyester TFC-RO membrane with remarkable water permeability, high rejection for salt and boron, and complete resistance toward chlorine. The ultrasmooth, low-energy surface of the membrane also prevents fouling and mineral scaling in comparison to polyamide membranes. These membranes could considerably reduce pretreatment steps in desalination. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/e9E3mWG7 Read news release here: https://lnkd.in/eyrUDMHp

Brine desalination coupled with carbon mineralization? New research published by Elsevier illustrates a novel valorization paradigm that could hold promise for the future of produced water management. Jerri Pohl New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium Shane Walker Texas Produced Water Consortium Steve Coffee Ben Samuels Rajendra Ghimire Produced Water Society Michael Jon Mitton Brian Mueller Infinity Water Solutions Michael Dyson Ashley Kegley-Whitehead Jordan Kramer Chris Caudill Whitney Dobson Daniel Rodríguez Ramón Antonio Sánchez Rosario Kevin Schug Ricardo Bernal #water #brine #valorization #CCUS #energy #mining "This study proposes a zero‑carbon desalination plant design that incorporates nanofiltration (NF) pretreatment with membrane contactor-based CO2 mineralization to address water scarcity issue through an environmentally sustainable approach. The NF pretreatment, utilizing NF90 and NF270 membranes, effectively reduces osmotic pressure and enhances the efficiency of the subsequent reverse osmosis (RO) process. The CO2 mineralization process, a carbon capture and utilization technology, employs silane–modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes to capture of CO2 and convert it into stable carbonates (CaCO3 and MgCO3). The study evaluates two scenarios with different NF strategies through a 3E (energy, environmental and economic) analysis. In Scenario 1, a high-performance NF pretreatment is used to increase the capacity of the carbon mineralization process. This results in a higher levelized cost of water (LCOW) for NF but reduces the LCOW for the RO and membrane contactor (MC) processes, achieving an optimal LCOW of $1.2953/m3 at 70 % NF RE. Scenario 2, which prioritizes a more cost-effective NF pretreatment system (NF270), achieves a lower LCOW for NF due to its higher flux, reaching a minimum LCOW of 1.0403/m3 at 80 % NF RE, despite higher RO costs. Scenario 2 is deemed more feasible than Scenario 1 due to its lower overall cost at a carbon offset price of $20/tonCO2. However, as the carbon price is projected to rise from $20 to $80 per ton by 2035, Scenario 1 is expected to become more economically viable over time. This highlights the need to adapt the NF strategy as carbon prices increase." https://lnkd.in/gEFaUwKD

🚀 Texas Nuclear Initiative: Transforming Wastewater into Life-Saving Freshwater! 💧 Nuclear energy can convert salty or produced water into pure, drinkable water, and this transformation is unfolding in Texas. Natura Resources, Texas Tech University, and Abilene Christian University are collaborating to integrate small modular reactors (SMRs) with advanced desalination systems, potentially turning millions of barrels of produced water from oil and gas wells into fresh water for farms, communities, and beyond. 📚 Historical precedents support this innovative approach. The BN-350 reactor in Kazakhstan operated as the world’s first nuclear desalination station for 26 years, demonstrating the viability of nuclear-powered desalination. Likewise, Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station has effectively processed and reused wastewater to mitigate water shortages. ⚛️ New projects are on the horizon: Abilene Christian University is launching a 1 MW molten salt research reactor to explore next-generation nuclear methods, while Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus is developing a 100 MWe reactor designed to seamlessly switch between generating electricity and purifying water for enhanced efficiency. 🌵 For arid regions like the Permian Basin, where water scarcity is a pressing concern, these initiatives offer a promising solution. Texas’s coastal resources further enhance the potential to expand desalination efforts and deliver essential water to communities in need. The Texas Produced Water Consortium supports these advancements, confident that innovative reactor technologies will secure both water and energy for the future. Picture: An MSR-100 reactor facility (Image: Natura Resources) Sources: https://lnkd.in/dWwD5nAS https://lnkd.in/dWUp5_yb #NuclearPower #Desalination #WaterInnovation #Texas #SMR #CleanEnergy

Imagine a desalination plant that doesn’t just achieve net-zero carbon emissions—but actually generates power instead of consuming it. Now imagine it runs solely on the heat of the sun. I, together with Dan Sinawat and Ben Gold, had the privilege of visiting Southern Methodist University’s Engineering Lab, where I met two remarkable student entrepreneurs: Bryce Harper (Economics major, Founder & CEO) and Isabella Fleet (Finance major, Head of Business Development & COO) of Urban Crusader Technology Inc. Also in the picture are Damilola Fatoki, a potential future Marketing intern, and Rudi, who is responsible for field testing the unit. Fresh off their 2nd place win at the Hilltop Founders Pitch Competition at SMU Cox School of Business, they showcased their innovative, patent-pending solution that combines water purification and electricity generation—without relying on fossil fuels, solar panels, or wind turbines. Their compact system uses the principles of thermal distillation and thermoelectric generation to transform contaminated water into clean drinking water and generate electricity—all in one elegant unit. Here’s how it works: 🔥 Heat (like from a campfire or stove) is applied to a pressure cooker filled with impure water. 💧 As the water boils, steam rises, leaving impurities behind. ⚡ That steam passes through a 'magic box'—a thermoelectric system that condenses it into drinkable water while generating electricity through thermoelectric generators (TEGs). These convert heat differentials directly into power—no moving parts required. The result? A sustainable solution ideal for disaster relief, off-grid living, and remote areas—capable of charging small devices like phones or lights when the grid goes down. But Bryce and Isabella are thinking even bigger. Their next frontier is scaling this technology to integrate with large-scale desalination plants—potentially revolutionizing an industry known for massive energy consumption. If successful, this could significantly lower operational costs and carbon emissions, making desalination more accessible and sustainable than ever before. A brilliant concept—and a powerful reminder that innovation often starts with rethinking the basics.

The next breakthrough in water tech might not be built on land. Meet Ocean Oasis — a company designing floating desalination units powered by wave energy. ✅ Modular & scalable. Deployable where demand is highest. ✅ Wave-powered. No need for an external energy source. ✅ Minimal land use. Floating systems work offshore. ✅ No need for complex pipeline infrastructure. Why I love this: 1️⃣ It’s mobile. Unlike traditional desal plants, Ocean Oasis units can be relocated based on demand. Coastal cities facing seasonal water stress could deploy them where they’re needed most. 2️⃣ Coastal infrastructure is expensive. Floating desal eliminates the need for massive land-based construction. 3️⃣ It’s an independent system. Ocean Oasis doesn’t require a grid connection. It's a potentially great fit for off-grid communities, island nations, and disaster relief scenarios. Could offshore desalination become the next scalable water solution? Or is the tech still too early? Drop your thoughts below. 👇 (Also, highly recommend checking out Ocean Oasis if you’re in the water space.) PS. I just posted about FLOCEAN last week, and thank you Stefano Bernardi for informing me!

🔁 The Great Desalination Shift: Thermal’s Second Act? 💧⚡ Over the next decade, thermal desalination may re-emerge—not as a fossil-heavy relic, but as a next-gen force: smarter, leaner, and competitive with SWRO. What’s driving the shift? 🌋 Next-Gen Thermal Technologies Geothermal, solar-thermal, and sodium-cooled nuclear reactors are redefining thermal’s footprint. These platforms enable the co-generation of power + water, with minimal fossil dependence and greater circularity. GHG byproducts? Not wasted, valorized as feedstocks or transformed into secondary commodities. ⚙️ SWRO’s Parallel Evolution SWRO isn’t standing still. Ceramic membrane pre-treatment is emerging as a game-changer, offering: -Lower chemical use -Longer membrane life -Reduced OPEX -Enhanced resilience in harsh source waters 🔄 Smarter Desalination Is Inevitable Water security is now an energy conversation. The future belongs to hybrid, flexible, low-carbon desalination platforms, where power, water, and process valorization converge. 📌 Don’t just desalinate. Innovate! #WaterPositive #Desalination #ThermalDesal #SWRO #EnergyWaterNexus #ClimateInnovation #CeramicMembranes #SustainableInfrastructure