How you too can become a rocket scientist - A real rocket scientist talks @ IITalks

Waste Heat for Desalination

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research

What it is

Waste heat for desalination involves utilizing waste heat from industrial processes, power plants, or other sources to power desalination processes, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for producing freshwater from seawater or brackish water. This technology offers a way to reduce the energy consumption and environmental impact of desalination, which is typically an energy-intensive process.

Impact on climate action

Waste Heat for Desalination under Industrial Waste Heat Recovery mitigates climate impact by utilizing excess industrial heat to power desalination processes. By reducing energy demand and emissions associated with freshwater production, this innovation enhances resource efficiency, promotes sustainability, and contributes to climate resilience in water-stressed regions.

Underlying
Technology

Multi-Effect Distillation (MED): This technology uses a series of evaporators and condensers to evaporate and condense seawater multiple times, producing freshwater with each stage. Waste heat is used to heat the seawater in the first stage, and the subsequent stages utilize waste heat from the previous stages, creating a cascading effect that improves energy efficiency.
Membrane Distillation (MD): MD is an emerging desalination technology that uses a hydrophobic membrane to separate water vapor from saline water. Waste heat can be used to provide the heat needed for the evaporation process, driving the separation of freshwater from the saline solution.

TRL : 6-7

Prominent Innovation themes

Hybrid Waste Heat-Renewable Energy Desalination Systems: Combining waste heat with renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal or geothermal energy, can further improve the sustainability and efficiency of desalination systems.
Advanced Membrane Materials: Researchers are developing new membrane materials with improved performance and reduced fouling for membrane distillation and other membrane-based desalination processes.
Process Optimization and Integration: Innovations in process design and integration are improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of waste heat desalination systems.
Low-Temperature Desalination Technologies: Researchers are exploring new desalination technologies that can operate at lower temperatures, expanding the range of waste heat sources that can be utilized.

Other Innovation Subthemes

Advanced Membranes for Waste Heat Desalination
Process Optimization for Efficiency
Low-Temperature Desalination Tech
Multi-Effect Distillation with Waste Heat
Membrane Distillation Powered by Waste Heat

Related Innovations

Sample Global Startups and Companies

SUEZ:
- Technology Enhancement: SUEZ is a global leader in water treatment and environmental solutions. Their approach to utilizing waste heat for desalination involves the integration of thermal desalination technologies such as Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) or Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) with industrial processes that generate waste heat. By harnessing waste heat from industrial facilities such as power plants, refineries, or manufacturing plants, SUEZ can drive the desalination process more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and costs.
- Uniqueness of the Company: SUEZ stands out for its expertise in both water treatment and waste heat utilization, allowing them to offer integrated solutions for sustainable desalination. Their focus on maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly water production solutions.
- End-User Segments Addressing: SUEZ serves a diverse range of industries and municipalities facing water scarcity challenges. Their waste heat-driven desalination solutions are particularly relevant for industrial facilities with excess heat generation, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to freshwater production.
Veolia:
- Technology Enhancement: Veolia is a leading provider of water, waste, and energy management solutions. Their approach to waste heat for desalination involves the integration of thermal desalination technologies with cogeneration or district heating systems. By capturing waste heat from power generation or industrial processes, Veolia can power thermal desalination plants more efficiently, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.
- Uniqueness of the Company: Veolia stands out for its comprehensive portfolio of environmental services and its commitment to sustainability. Their expertise in waste heat recovery and thermal desalination allows them to offer tailored solutions for water-stressed regions, helping clients optimize resource use and minimize environmental footprint.
- End-User Segments Addressing: Veolia serves municipalities, industries, and utilities seeking sustainable water supply solutions. Their waste heat-driven desalination projects are deployed in various sectors, including power generation, oil and gas, and manufacturing, where excess heat can be utilized to produce freshwater efficiently.
Hitachi Zosen Corporation:
- Technology Enhancement: Hitachi Zosen Corporation specializes in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for desalination and water treatment projects. Their approach to waste heat for desalination involves the deployment of thermal desalination technologies such as MED or MSF, coupled with waste heat recovery systems. By utilizing waste heat from industrial processes or power generation, Hitachi Zosen Corporation can power desalination plants more sustainably and cost-effectively.
- Uniqueness of the Company: Hitachi Zosen Corporation stands out for its extensive experience in desalination plant construction and its focus on innovative engineering solutions. Their expertise in waste heat utilization enables them to design and implement customized desalination projects that meet the specific needs of clients and local communities.
- End-User Segments Addressing: Hitachi Zosen Corporation serves municipalities, utilities, and industries worldwide seeking reliable and efficient water supply solutions. Their waste heat-driven desalination projects address water scarcity challenges in coastal regions, industrial complexes, and remote areas, where access to freshwater is limited.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
- Research Focus: MIT is a pioneer in the field of Waste Heat for Desalination, focusing on developing efficient and sustainable systems for utilizing industrial waste heat to power desalination processes.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the integration of waste heat recovery technologies with various desalination methods such as multi-effect distillation (MED), membrane distillation (MD), and reverse osmosis (RO). They explore novel heat exchanger designs, thermodynamic cycles, and advanced materials to maximize energy efficiency and water production rates while minimizing environmental impact.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in industrial wastewater treatment, municipal water supply, and remote off-grid communities. By leveraging waste heat for desalination, MIT’s research contributes to water security, resource conservation, and sustainable development, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and energy constraints.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST):
- Research Focus: KAUST conducts innovative research on Waste Heat for Desalination, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary expertise to develop cutting-edge technologies for harnessing waste heat for water purification.
- Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the development of hybrid desalination systems, absorption heat pumps, and vapor compression technologies optimized for waste heat utilization. They also investigate advanced materials, nanocomposites, and membrane technologies to enhance desalination performance and durability under harsh operating conditions.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in industrial process water treatment, agricultural irrigation, and decentralized water supply systems. By converting waste heat into freshwater resources, KAUST’s research addresses the dual challenges of water scarcity and energy sustainability, fostering economic growth and environmental resilience in arid regions.
National University of Singapore (NUS):
- Research Focus: NUS is at the forefront of research on Waste Heat for Desalination, leveraging its expertise in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and membrane science to develop innovative solutions for utilizing waste heat in desalination applications.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the development of novel desalination processes such as adsorption desalination, membrane distillation, and forward osmosis coupled with waste heat recovery systems. They also explore system integration, process optimization, and control strategies to maximize energy efficiency and water productivity.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in industrial water reuse, brackish water desalination, and agricultural water management. By harnessing waste heat for desalination, NUS’s research contributes to water resource sustainability, climate change adaptation, and socio-economic development in water-stressed regions.

Commercial Implementation

Waste heat desalination is still in the early stages of commercialization, but several demonstration projects and pilot plants have been developed, showcasing the potential of this technology.

Click Here...