Kuwaiti’s KISR receives US patent for water desalination technology

The Water Research Center of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a revolutionary water desalination technology, as reported by Al-Rai daily.

This cutting-edge invention features an interconnected membrane desalination system that boasts high productivity of fresh water while significantly reducing return water compared to conventional desalination methods.

The patent has been registered under the names of the research team, which includes Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Dr. Yousef Al-Wazzan, Dr. Rajisha Kumar, Dr. Garudashari Bhadrashari, and Dr. Jibu Thomas.

To validate their scientific theory, the team designed, constructed, and operated an innovative experimental water desalination unit within the Institute’s Water Research Center.

Extensive laboratory testing was conducted on the pilot unit, with a daily capacity of 35,000 liters, to assess its technical and economic feasibility for seawater desalination applications.

The results of the laboratory tests showcased the system’s remarkable fresh water production rate of 65 percent at an operating pressure of 65 atms (atmospheres).

In contrast, traditional reverse osmosis systems require operating pressures exceeding 70 atmospheres to achieve only 40 percent of the total fresh water production in seawater desalination operations.

The fresh water produced by this novel technology complies with the qualitative standards and specifications set by the World Health Organization for drinking water.

The research team highlighted that this innovative system also holds the potential to increase fresh water production by over 95 percent in groundwater desalination applications while significantly reducing the amount of backwater generated.

When combined with salt separation systems, it can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly desalination processes by further reducing the volume of water returned.

The technology’s energy-efficient nature also holds promise for potentially reducing the required area for solar panels when utilized with solar energy for fresh water production from both seawater and groundwater.

This patented water desalination technology is expected to address the country’s water security challenges by providing a sustainable supply of fresh water. Moreover, it is set to alleviate the economic and environmental burdens associated with conventional desalination operations.

https://www.kisr.edu.kw/en/program/10/

SOURCE

Taxonomy

• Desalination
• Sustainable Desalination
• Desalination