SmartBrine

Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination (SWRO) is a rapidly expanding industry in response to increasing global water scarcity. With the expansion of desalination, global brine production is rising, creating challenges for safe discharge by increasing discharge volumes, which poses various environmental risks. 

This feasibility study aims to explore and test three technology routes to reuse this brine: electrochlorination, mineral recovery, and (blue/green) energy production or recovery. The ultimate goal is to work towards an integrated brine valorization strategy for developing on-site pilot systems in Brazil.

The reason for this project

Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceará in Brazil, is located on the coasts in a semi-arid region, while the main water sources are located inland ~200-500 km away. This causes potential water shortages for the 3.6 million inhabitants during periods of water scarcity. Three different SWRO desalination plants are set to be constructed to enhance water availability. However, even though these desalination plants will produce drinking water, they will also produce more than 4,500 m3/h of brine. The brine produced from these desalination plants is planned to be discharged into the ocean, which could cause long-term environmental impacts on the coastal region. One way to mitigate this is by utilizing the brine as a potential source of resources. There is a demand for compounds such as disinfection agents, acid/caustic, minerals, and energy production, all of which could be produced from the brine. Therefore, this provides an opportunity to create a circular solution that can mitigate the amount of brine discharged by utilizing or reusing it for other purposes and ultimately reduce the risk of long-term environmental impacts.

Which problem does the project solve?

SmartBrine is looking to evaluate different avenues to reuse and valorize the brine rather than being a waste stream. To accomplish this, three different technology routes will be explored and validated for brine valorization for each of the three SWRO desalination plant locations. These results will be incorporated and will be added to a cost and risk assessment to provide a comprehensive overview. Ultimately, this will make up the blueprint of a potential in-situ pilot scale system for brine valorization. By having a holistic integrated brine valorization strategy, the circularity of the new desalination plants could increase and create a benefit for the private entities and surrounding industries.

Partners within the project

This feasibility study explores 3 technology routes: Electrochlorination, mineral recovery and energy production, aiming to develop a brine valorisation strategy for pilot systems. The expected outcome is an initial design for a pilot plant focused on brine minimisation. The partners that are working together in this proeject: 

• Royal HaskoningDHV

• Ceará State Water and Sewage Company (CAGECE, Companhia de Água e Esgoto do Ceará)

With support of students and researchers from Chemical Engineering, Sustainability Management, Water Technology and/or Civil Engineering.

Third parties

• Pecem Industrial and Port Complex Development Company – CIPP/SA 

• Águas de Fortaleza

• Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Ceará - FIEC

How does the project team approach this?

SmartBrine will evaluate the entire desalination and brine generation cycle and integrate solutions that work locally to minimize and valorize the brine produced. The study comprises a theoretical feasibility study, interviews, SWOT- and risk analysis, system balances, and includes commercial perspectives. In this project, three possible routes will be explored to provide solutions for brine valorization. 

1. the electrochlorination route, where SWRO brine will be used as feed for the electrochemical production of chlorine-based disinfectants,
2. the mineral recovery route, which will evaluate possible recovery and reuse of minerals, and
3. the energy production/recovery route, which will evaluate the use of SWRO brine for energy production (e.g. as concentrated source for energy production based on salinity gradients).

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This December (2024), a record-breaking 17 new projects were granted subsidies from the Partners for Water 5 programme. In close cooperation with local partners, these innovative projects aim to improve water security around the globe.

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