• New technology to be developed in King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
• Potential to reduce desalination plant energy consumption and carbon footprint
WD News: ACWA Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nanostone Water Inc to perform R&D and knowledge transfer at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to evaluate Nanostone’s UF ceramic membranes and process technology in seawater desalination applications.
The collaboration is expected to position Saudi Arabia as a technological and innovation hub in frontier applications for sustainable power, water desalination and green hydrogen, globally. The new partnership pursues applied industry-oriented research to develop a robust pre-treatment process for seawater desalination applications with superior protection and an extended lifetime for downstream reverse osmosis membranes.
“It is imperative that we bring the best of the local and global innovation ecosystem, including research institutions and business partners, to Saudi Arabia, enabling us to develop innovative solutions for our future facilities,” said Marco Arcelli, Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power.
Nanostone’s UF technology provides partners and end-users with a robust solution against variations in water quality, including harmful algal blooms, along with reliable delivery of high-quality pre-treated water at a lower total cost of ownership.
“Ceramic membrane is a robust pre-treatment technology with the potential for reliable operations, ensuring enhanced and consistent seawater quality. It offers long-term benefits for desalination operations, including the potential to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of desalination plants,” said Thomas Altmann, EVP Innovation and New Technology at ACWA Power.
“We expect to prove our industry-leading ceramic ultrafiltration technology as an ideal pre-treatment solution for seawater desalination,” said John Ritter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nanostone.
Source & image courtesy: ACWA Power
