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DESOLINATION - An innovative desalination concept

Lipnizki, Frank LU orcid ; Poirier, K. ; Patchigolla, K. ; Manzolini, G. ; Avci, A. H. LU and Al Mhanna, N. (2025) 4th International Workshop on Membrane Distillation and Innovating Membrane Operations in Desalination and Water Reuse p.31-31
Abstract
Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, with projections indicating that 40% of the world’s population could face shortages by 2030. At the same time, the transition to renewable energy is essential for reducing carbon emissions, with solar power playing a key role. The DESOLINATION project addresses these challenges by integrating concentrated solar power with advanced membrane processes for seawater desalination, achieving a zero-carbon, zero-liquid discharge solution.
The proposed desalination process consists of three main stages. In forward osmosis, seawater is concentrated using a thermo-responsive polymeric draw solution. The diluted draw solution is then heated with excess heat from the Brayton cycle and passed through a... (More)
Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, with projections indicating that 40% of the world’s population could face shortages by 2030. At the same time, the transition to renewable energy is essential for reducing carbon emissions, with solar power playing a key role. The DESOLINATION project addresses these challenges by integrating concentrated solar power with advanced membrane processes for seawater desalination, achieving a zero-carbon, zero-liquid discharge solution.
The proposed desalination process consists of three main stages. In forward osmosis, seawater is concentrated using a thermo-responsive polymeric draw solution. The diluted draw solution is then heated with excess heat from the Brayton cycle and passed through a coalescer for phase separation. The water-rich phase undergoes nanofiltration for further purification, while the polymer-enriched phase is recycled. The concentrated seawater from the forward osmosis retentate is preheated before undergoing vacuum membrane distillation to maximize water recovery, producing purified water while minimizing brine waste.
To enhance efficiency, the project is developing high-flux forward osmosis membranes using electrospinning and layer-by-layer techniques. Superhydrophobic ceramic membranes with silane grafting are designed for membrane distillation, while recently commercialized ceramic nanofiltration membranes help polish the final water stream. Various thermo-responsive polymeric draw solutions are also being evaluated for their osmotic performance.
A large-scale pilot integrating these innovations is planned at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The DESOLINATION project demonstrates a sustainable, cost-effective desalination approach that leverages solar energy and advanced membrane technologies to maximize water recovery while minimizing environmental impact, providing a viable solution for water-scarce regions.
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Membrane processes, Seawater desalination, Forward osmosis, Membrane distillation, Nanofiltration
pages
1 pages
conference name
4th International Workshop on Membrane Distillation and Innovating Membrane Operations in Desalination and Water Reuse
conference location
Cetraro, Italy
conference dates
2025-06-04 - 2025-06-06
DOI
10.48263/BOA_MD-CETRARO_2025
project
DEmonstration of concentrated SOLar power coupled wIth advaNced desAlinaTion system in the gulf regION.
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
224bf9aa-31d4-4ac6-b07c-ebb070a2ef33
date added to LUP
2025-12-30 10:03:04
date last changed
2026-01-14 13:05:14
@misc{224bf9aa-31d4-4ac6-b07c-ebb070a2ef33,
  abstract     = {{Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, with projections indicating that 40% of the world’s population could face shortages by 2030. At the same time, the transition to renewable energy is essential for reducing carbon emissions, with solar power playing a key role. The DESOLINATION project addresses these challenges by integrating concentrated solar power with advanced membrane processes for seawater desalination, achieving a zero-carbon, zero-liquid discharge solution.<br/>The proposed desalination process consists of three main stages. In forward osmosis, seawater is concentrated using a thermo-responsive polymeric draw solution. The diluted draw solution is then heated with excess heat from the Brayton cycle and passed through a coalescer for phase separation. The water-rich phase undergoes nanofiltration for further purification, while the polymer-enriched phase is recycled. The concentrated seawater from the forward osmosis retentate is preheated before undergoing vacuum membrane distillation to maximize water recovery, producing purified water while minimizing brine waste.<br/>To enhance efficiency, the project is developing high-flux forward osmosis membranes using electrospinning and layer-by-layer techniques. Superhydrophobic ceramic membranes with silane grafting are designed for membrane distillation, while recently commercialized ceramic nanofiltration membranes help polish the final water stream. Various thermo-responsive polymeric draw solutions are also being evaluated for their osmotic performance.<br/>A large-scale pilot integrating these innovations is planned at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The DESOLINATION project demonstrates a sustainable, cost-effective desalination approach that leverages solar energy and advanced membrane technologies to maximize water recovery while minimizing environmental impact, providing a viable solution for water-scarce regions.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Lipnizki, Frank and Poirier, K. and Patchigolla, K. and Manzolini, G. and Avci, A. H. and Al Mhanna, N.}},
  keywords     = {{Membrane processes; Seawater desalination; Forward osmosis; Membrane distillation; Nanofiltration}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  pages        = {{31--31}},
  title        = {{DESOLINATION - An innovative desalination concept}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.48263/BOA_MD-CETRARO_2025}},
  doi          = {{10.48263/BOA_MD-CETRARO_2025}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}