A pioneering solar water treatment project is set to launch in Oman, marking a significant advancement in sustainable water treatment technology, informs Zawya. Austrian startup Heliovis has announced that its Solar Water Treatment Plant (SWTP), located at a remote oilfield in the Dhofar Governorate, will begin operations around mid-August 2024. This innovative facility, installed at the Small Oilfield Cluster of ARA Petroleum at Qarat Al Milh, is designed to convert highly saline, oil-contaminated produced water into freshwater using the sun’s energy.
The project is a collaboration between ARA Petroleum LLC, Heliovis AG, and US-based Trevi Systems Inc., combining cutting-edge solar thermal energy technology with advanced Forward Osmosis (FO) water treatment technology. A pilot plant is expected to produce approximately 140 cubic metres of freshwater per day, showcasing the viability of zero-emission water desalination technology that utilizes waste resources like produced water.
Trevi Systems’ FO technology, which relies on osmotic pressure to draw freshwater through a membrane using heat as the primary driver, is particularly well-suited for treating hyper-saline produced water. This technology is energy-efficient compared to conventional desalination systems, making it ideal for oilfield operations in Oman, where large volumes of produced water are a byproduct of oil and gas extraction.
This project is not only a significant step forward for Oman but also serves as a model for future initiatives across the Gulf region, promoting the use of solar thermal energy in industrial applications. Heliovis emphasized the project's potential to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector, highlighting its low carbon footprint and reduced operational costs.
