Brine valorization can transform desalination to be more sustainable and resource-efficient

By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages and authorities are increasingly looking to desalination as a viable option for providing freshwater. Thanks to a downward trend of desalination costs as well as an increase in costs of conventional water treatment and water reuse, seawater desalination will continue in the next decade to further establish itself as a reliable option for coastal communities worldwide.

With over 20,000 desalination plants contracted in the world, the desalination process has evolved significantly in recent years. To enhance the sustainability and efficiency of this process, the most avant-garde desalination projects, most of which are located in the Middle East, are boosting the use of renewable electricity and prioritizing the elimination or reduction of brine discharge. In this interview, water treatment expert Christos Charisiadis, Brine Innovation Manager, NEOM portfolio at Worley, shares his thoughts with Smart Water Magazine about the beneficiation of saline effluents from seawater desalination plants, the future of desalination and the potential of the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy.

Can you please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Worley?

My path has always been an unorthodox one, always trying to get to the next point by finding the niche opportunity to follow my interests and apply them to the field. Thus, my career starts as a civil engineering student solving load equations but trying with every step to understand more about water. In my second master’s, I came across the treatment of highly saline brines and since then that particular part of the industry fascinated me with its potential for research and commercial applications. Lenntech in the Netherlands was my first real chance to enter this field and grow my understanding of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and my network worldwide. Through years of effort, I became one of the very few professionals worldwide who have an in-depth understanding and know-how of the treatment of brines and the potential recovery of Salts & Minerals. Worley and its involvement in the NEOM project came almost as a natural choice when my current employers approached me to ask if I wanted to participate in the team which is tasked with solving perhaps the most complex water megaproject worldwide. Currently, I am trying on a daily basis to improve upon the concept design of the operation, connecting the dots and making sure that the bigger picture operationally and commercially makes sense.

Published in SWM Bimonthly 18 - June 2023

Middle East: the cradle of water innovation

The most innovative seawater desalination projects worldwide are currently focusing on two major areas: the first is being powered by renewable electricity and the second is not discharging any brine into the sea during the desalination process. What are your opinions about these projects? In your opinion, can it be achieved?

The focus on using renewable electricity to power seawater desalination projects is a positive development. Traditional desalination processes often rely on fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Eliminating the discharge of brine into the sea is another important objective. Brine is a by-product of desalination and contains concentrated salt and other minerals. Depending on the situation (e.g. closed water bodies), discharging large volumes of brine can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems by increasing salinity levels and harming marine organisms. Developing technologies that can effectively manage and minimize brine discharge is crucial to mitigate these environmental impacts.

While these goals are commendable, achieving them on a large scale may come with several challenges. Implementing renewable energy systems for desalination requires significant investment in infrastructure and technology. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources also poses challenges to ensuring continuous desalination operations. However, advancements in energy storage and hybrid systems can help address these challenges.

Eliminating brine discharge entirely is a complex task as brine disposal remains a major challenge for desalination plants. NEOM is currently exploring various innovative approaches, such as brine concentration technologies that bring down the downstream cost for resource recovery from brines. Separating the Monovalent with the Polyvalent ions sure is a big step towards this approach, but then you need to find the best possible process chain configurations through the means of chemistry and system operational knowledge, to achieve a concentration of Thermal Evaporators with membranes only with both brine streams, in order for the >210g/L brines to go to the salt crystallization operations that hold their own series of complexity and inherent risk factors.

By utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future

It's important to note that the feasibility and success of these projects may vary depending on local conditions, including water availability, energy infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and economic factors. However, with increasing global concerns about water scarcity, environmental sustainability, and the maturing of renewable energy technologies, it is likely that more efforts and investments will be directed toward achieving renewable energy-powered desalination and zero liquid discharge in the future.

You are an expert on achieving commercially viable solutions for brine beneficiation into saleable products, including gypsum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), salt, potassium-based fertilizers, and magnesium. Could you tell us a bit more about brine beneficiation and what it means for the desalination sector?

Extracting valuable materials or resources from the brine generated during desalination or other water treatment processes aims to minimize waste and maximize the utilization of otherwise lost resources. This approach aligns with the principles of a circular economy and sustainable resource management.

Brine valorization has several benefits for the desalination sector:

Waste reduction: Instead of disposing of the brine as a waste product, brine valorization helps minimize waste and promotes a more sustainable approach to desalination.
Resource efficiency: By extracting valuable materials from the brine, brine valorization maximizes the utilization of the available resources, contributing to resource efficiency and reducing the need for extraction from other sources.
Economic opportunities: Brine valorization can create economic opportunities by turning the brine into valuable products. It can generate new industries, employment, and revenue streams associated with the recovery and utilization of extracted materials.
Environmental sustainability: By minimizing brine discharge and extracting valuable resources, brine valorization reduces the environmental impact of desalination processes. It helps prevent the potential harm to marine ecosystems that can result from the direct disposal of concentrated brine.

It is likely that more efforts will be directed toward renewable energy-powered desalination and ZLD in the future

Brine valorization is an area of active research and development, with ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency, scalability, and viability of various valorization techniques. It has the potential to transform the desalination sector into a more sustainable and resource-efficient industry, contributing to the circular economy principles and addressing the environmental challenges associated with water treatment processes.

What are the potential economic benefits of brine beneficiation?

The process of extracting valuable materials from brine generated during desalination can bring several potential economic benefits:

Revenue generation: Brine valorization can create new revenue streams for desalination plants. By extracting valuable materials from brine, such as salt, metals, minerals, or chemicals, these resources can be sold in the market, generating additional income for the desalination facility.
Cost reduction: Brine disposal is a significant cost for desalination plants. Instead of treating and discharging brine, valorization allows for the recovery of valuable materials, which can offset the costs associated with brine management and disposal. This can contribute to overall cost reduction and improve the economic feasibility of desalination projects.
Resource conservation: Brine valorization promotes the efficient use of resources. Recovering valuable components from brine, such as metals or minerals, reduces the need for traditional resource extraction methods, such as mining. This can lead to cost savings and reduced environmental impacts associated with resource extraction.
Job creation and local economic development: Brine valorization can create employment opportunities and contribute to local economic development. The establishment of brine valorization facilities and associated industries can create jobs in areas such as research and development, technology deployment, resource extraction, manufacturing, and marketing.
Diversification of industries: Brine valorization can stimulate the growth of new industries or the expansion of existing ones. The recovered materials can be used in various sectors, such as chemical production, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy storage. This diversification can enhance regional or national economies by fostering innovation, attracting investments, and reducing dependence on traditional sectors.
Enhanced sustainability credentials: Brine valorization aligns with sustainability goals by reducing waste generation and promoting circular economy principles. Industries and companies that implement brine valorization practices can improve their sustainability credentials, which can enhance their reputation and competitiveness in the market.

Extracting materials or resources from the brine generated during desalination or other water treatment processes aims to minimize waste

It's worth noting that the economic benefits of brine valorization can vary depending on factors such as the concentration and composition of the brine, the technological processes involved, market demand for the recovered materials, and the cost of extraction and purification technologies. Additionally, the economic viability of brine valorization projects will depend on factors like scale, infrastructure requirements, and regional market conditions.

Overall, by turning a waste stream into a valuable resource, brine valorization has the potential to generate economic value, reduce costs, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to local and regional economic development.

What role does digitalization play to achieve brine beneficiation?

Digitalization plays a significant role in achieving brine valorization by enabling process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and enhancing overall efficiency. Here are some ways in which digitalization contributes to brine valorization:

Data collection and monitoring: Digital technologies can collect and monitor real-time data from desalination plants, including brine composition, flow rates, and process parameters. This data helps in understanding the brine's characteristics and identifying potential valuable components for recovery.
Process optimization: Digital tools, such as advanced sensors and monitoring systems, can provide insights into the performance of brine valorization processes. By analyzing data, process engineers can identify bottlenecks, optimize operational parameters, and improve the efficiency of resource recovery from brine.
Predictive analytics: By leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, digitalization enables predictive analytics to optimize brine valorization processes. These tools can analyze historical data and provide predictions on process performance, resource recovery rates, and material quality, allowing for proactive decision-making and process improvements.
Simulation and modelling: Digital simulations and modelling techniques can be used to simulate and optimize brine valorization processes before implementation. These virtual models help in designing efficient recovery systems, evaluating different scenarios, and reducing the time and costs associated with physical experimentation

Brine valorization can contribute to the circular economy and address the environmental challenges associated with water treatment processes

Resource tracking and traceability: Digitalization enables tracking and traceability of recovered materials from brine valorization. By implementing digital systems, it becomes possible to monitor the entire lifecycle of the recovered materials, including extraction, processing, distribution, and utilization. This enhances transparency, quality control, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing: Digital platforms and communication tools facilitate collaboration among stakeholders involved in brine valorization projects. Researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry experts can connect, share knowledge, and exchange best practices, accelerating innovation and advancements in the field.
Optimization of resource allocation: Digitalization allows for improved resource allocation by analyzing data on material recovery rates, market demand, and cost analysis. This helps in optimizing the allocation of recovered materials to different industries or sectors, maximizing economic returns and minimizing waste.

Digitalization can bring significant benefits to the brine valorization process by enhancing operational efficiency, improving resource recovery rates, reducing costs, and enabling better decision-making. It empowers stakeholders to optimize processes, monitor performance, and maximize the economic and environmental benefits associated with extracting valuable resources from brine.

You also have worked extensively on Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), a wastewater management strategy that eliminates liquid waste and maximizes water usage efficiency. How has this strategy developed in the last years?

The Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy has gained attention and development in the water sector in recent years due to its potential for mitigating water scarcity, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable water management. Here are some notable developments and trends related to ZLD:

The economic viability of brine valorization projects will depend on factors scale, infrastructure requirements, and regional market conditions

Technology advancements: Significant progress has been made in developing and improving ZLD technologies. Innovative approaches such as membrane-based processes, evaporation and crystallization techniques, forward osmosis, and hybrid systems have emerged to achieve higher water recovery rates and minimize waste generation. These advancements have made ZLD more efficient, cost-effective, and applicable to a wider range of industries and applications.

Industrial applications: ZLD has seen increasing adoption across various industrial sectors, including power generation, oil and gas, mining, chemical manufacturing, and textiles. These industries produce significant volumes of wastewater with high levels of contaminants. Implementing ZLD systems allows for the recovery of water, valuable chemicals, and resources from the wastewater, reducing freshwater consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.

Policy and regulations: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are recognizing the importance of sustainable water management practices and are implementing stricter regulations on wastewater discharge. ZLD is being encouraged or mandated in certain regions to address water scarcity, protect water resources, and minimize pollution. This has led to greater awareness and adoption of ZLD strategies in industries that need to comply with these regulations.

Water reuse and circular economy: ZLD is closely tied to the concept of water reuse and the circular economy. By implementing ZLD, wastewater is treated and processed to recover water and valuable resources, which can then be reused within the industrial processes or for other purposes such as irrigation, cooling, or groundwater recharge. This promotes the efficient use of water resources, reduces reliance on freshwater sources, and fosters a more sustainable and circular approach to water management.

The Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy has gained attention and development in recent years due to its potential for mitigating water scarcity

Cost considerations: Initially, ZLD systems were associated with high capital and operational costs, which limited their widespread adoption. However, as technology advancements continue and economies of scale are achieved, the cost of ZLD systems has been gradually decreasing. Additionally, the potential for resource recovery and cost savings from reduced water consumption and wastewater treatment can make ZLD economically viable for many industries in the long term.

Innovation and research: Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving ZLD technologies, optimizing processes, and addressing challenges such as energy consumption, scaling, and the management of concentrated brine or solid waste generated during ZLD. Innovations such as the integration of renewable energy sources, modular systems, and novel membrane materials are being explored to enhance ZLD efficiency and sustainability.

Overall, the ZLD strategy has evolved as a promising approach in the water sector, driven by technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and the increasing emphasis on sustainable water management. As water scarcity and environmental concerns persist, ZLD is likely to continue its development and implementation in various industries, contributing to the conservation and efficient use of water resources.

Working on such an avant-garde project, what do you expect the desalination sector to look like in the next decade?

The desalination sector is expected to undergo significant changes and advancements in the next decade. Here are some key trends and expectations for the future of the desalination sector:

Increased capacity and global expansion: The demand for desalinated water is expected to continue growing due to population growth, urbanization, and water scarcity issues. As a result, the desalination sector is likely to witness an increase in capacity and further expansion globally, especially in regions with high water stress or limited freshwater resources.
Technological advancements: The desalination industry will continue to invest in research and development to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of desalination processes. Advancements in membrane technologies, energy recovery systems, hybrid systems, and innovative brine management techniques will contribute to higher water recovery rates, reduced energy consumption, and minimized environmental impact.
Integration of renewable energy: To address the environmental concerns associated with energy-intensive desalination processes, there will be a greater focus on integrating renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and wave power into desalination plants. This will help reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable desalination sector.

As water scarcity and environmental concerns persist, ZLD is likely to continue its development and implementation in various industries

Emphasis on brine management and valorization: Brine management and brine valorization will continue to gain attention and become integral parts of desalination projects. The development of technologies and processes for brine concentration, resource recovery, and brine utilization will help minimize environmental impacts, reduce waste generation, and create economic opportunities through the extraction of valuable materials from brine.
Decentralized and modular desalination systems: The future of desalination may witness a shift towards decentralized and modular systems, allowing for more flexibility, scalability, and rapid deployment of desalination infrastructure. Modular desalination units can be easily transported, installed, and integrated into existing water supply systems, providing a more efficient and adaptable approach to water production.
Smart water management and digitalization: The integration of digital technologies, data analytics, and automation will play a crucial role in optimizing desalination processes, improving operational efficiency, and enabling real-time monitoring and control. Smart water management systems will help optimize energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall performance.
Collaboration and public-private partnerships: Collaboration between governments, private sector entities, and research institutions will continue to drive advancements in the desalination sector. Public-private partnerships will be essential to mobilize investments, foster innovation, and accelerate the deployment of sustainable and cost-effective desalination projects.

It's important to note that the specific trajectory of the desalination sector will depend on various factors such as technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, market conditions, and the availability of resources. However, with the growing global water challenges, it is expected that the desalination sector will play an increasingly vital role in meeting water demand and ensuring water security in the coming decade.

What advice would you give young professionals or students looking to work in water treatment and more particularly, in the field of desalination?

If you're a young professional or student looking to work in water treatment, particularly in the field of desalination, here are some pieces of advice:

Gain relevant education and skills: Pursue a degree or specialization in fields such as environmental engineering, chemical engineering, water resources management, or related disciplines. Acquire knowledge about desalination technologies, water treatment processes, water chemistry, and water quality assessment. Consider attending workshops, conferences, and training programs specific to desalination to enhance your expertise.

Stay updated with industry advancements: Keep yourself informed about the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the desalination sector. Read scientific papers, industry publications, and research reports to understand the challenges and opportunities in the field. Follow reputable organizations, research institutions, and industry experts who are actively engaged in the desalination sector.

The desalination sector will play an increasingly vital role in meeting water demand and ensuring water security in the coming decade

Gain practical experience through internships or research projects: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience in water treatment and desalination. Look for internships or research positions in water treatment companies, consulting firms, research institutions, or governmental agencies. Hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into the practical aspects of desalination and enhance your skills.

Join professional networks and associations: Engage with professional networks and associations in the water treatment and desalination sector. Attend conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with industry professionals, researchers, and practitioners. These networks can provide valuable mentorship, learning opportunities, and career guidance.

Emphasize sustainability and environmental considerations: The desalination sector is increasingly focusing on sustainability and minimizing environmental impacts. Familiarize yourself with concepts such as energy efficiency, brine management, resource recovery, and circular economy approaches. Showcase your understanding of these aspects and highlight your commitment to sustainable water management practices.

Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Water treatment, including desalination, involves complex challenges and requires analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Enhance your ability to analyze data, assess water quality parameters, and develop innovative solutions to optimize processes and address water treatment challenges.

Collaborate and seek mentorship: Collaborate with peers and professionals in the field. Seek mentorship from experienced professionals who can provide guidance and insights into the industry. Engage in discussions, share ideas, and collaborate on projects to get an in depth understanding of the industry.