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Research program 3: Brine management
Background
Desalination plants discharge large quantities of brine which represents the effluent of the desalination process and contains high concentrations of salts, process chemicals and other contaminants that could have negative environmental impacts on the marine ecosystems, in case of seawater, or on soil and groundwater resources in case of inland desalination. The management of brine remains one of the major environmental and economic challenges for both SWRO and BWRO desalination. Research into sustainable and cost effective methods to manage brine effluent is becoming as important as the desalination process itself, especially for inland regions of the Kingdom. Numerous methods have been suggested worldwide for brine management and there is a need to evaluate these methods and their suitability for Saudi local conditions, as well as to propose other innovative methods.
Aims
This research program aims to address the challenges of brine management at coastal and inland regions of Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the most viable and efficient technologies for reuse, disposal, volume minimization and chemical mining of brine. More specifically, the aims of the program are as follows:
ñ To characterize brines of Saudi desalination plants and to understand their impacts on ecosystems of coastal and inland regions and on surface and groundwater resources.
ñ To provide a thorough analysis and assessment of existing practices applied worldwide in the area of brine treatment, minimization and disposal.
ñ To develop environmentally safe and cost effective brine management methods for inland and coastal areas incorporating systems management approaches at a regional level.
ñ To explore beneficial uses of brine and to advise technologies for production of marketable salt residues.
ñ To advise environmental protection regulations and framework for brine management options.
Outcome
Success of this program can be measured by a number of outcomes and indicators:
ñ Increased understanding of brine characteristics and brine impacts on the environment in the vicinity of Saudi desalination plants.
ñ Theoretical assessment of proven brine management methods and possibilities of adaptation of these methods under Saudi conditions.
ñ Successful bench and/or pilot-scale demonstration of environmentally safe and cost effective brine management technologies for inland and coastal areas.
ñ Production of a policy-oriented environmental protection framework and regulations for brine management.
ñ Successful publication of program results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Subprogram 3.1: Brine reduction strategies
Subprogram 3.2: Membrane crystallizers
Subprogram 3.3: Mineral recovery
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