Affiliated Research Group:
Key Researcher(s):
Dr. Isam Aljund
Dr. H. Ahmed
Dr. A. Waheed
Dr. F. Al-Harthi
Dr. C. Fellows
Dr. U. Baig
Dr. I. Abdulazeez
Water scarcity and the high cost of desalination have long posed challenges to global water security. Given that one in three people globally lack safe drinking water, agriculture and industry consume 90% of freshwater resources, and regions like MENA rely heavily on desalination (60%), addressing this critical issue, researchers at KFUPM’s Interdisciplinary Research Center for Membranes and Water Security (IRC-MWS) developed a transformative desalination process that not only increases water production but also enables resource recovery from brine waste.
The research team developed an advanced high-performance membrane that achieves a 24% increase in productivity over conventional membranes. In addition to improving water output, the rejected brine is repurposed to recover valuable resources, including hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and sodium chloride (NaCl). This innovation reduces desalination costs, minimizes energy consumption, and supports a circular economy by converting waste into usable industrial materials. The technology tackles the challenge of brine disposal, a key environmental concern, while enhancing the economic feasibility of desalination.
By implementing this cutting-edge desalination technology, KFUPM is paving the way for a more sustainable and economically viable water future. The improved membrane design significantly lowers energy demands and reduces reliance on costly chemical treatments, making desalination more accessible and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, repurposing brine for industrial applications promotes resource efficiency, reinforcing global efforts to create a resilient, sustainable, and water-secure future.
Through our commitment to sustainable development, this project aligns with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):