Breakthrough in Thermal Desalination

Ettore Morosini from Politecnico di Milano presented the project’s latest developments, focusing on an innovative hybrid approach that integrates forward osmosis with membrane distillation in series. This advanced configuration is capable of producing brine concentrations approaching the crystallization point, representing a significant step forward in desalination efficiency.

Innovation at Low Temperatures

The research showcased novel plant layouts specifically designed to maximize sensible heat recovery from very low temperature ranges below 90°C. This breakthrough enables optimal integration with heat rejected from innovative concentrated solar plants, opening new possibilities for sustainable, solar-powered desalination systems.

The presentation also featured promising results from recent experimental analyses examining advanced draw solutes for forward osmosis processes, contributing valuable insights to the field’s ongoing development.

From 6 to 10 April 2025, the Oman Water Week brought together international experts, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable water solutions at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat. Among the key contributors to the event was the DESOLINATION project, which was showcased as part of the Municipal Water Programme.

Prof. Frank Lipnizki from Lund University (Sweden) delivered the presentation titled “DESOLINATION – An Innovative Desalination Concept Coupling Concentrated Solar for GCC Countries.” He was joined at the event by Dr. Najah Al Mhanna from GUtech (Oman), a key project partner.

The presentation provided an overview of the desalination component of the DESOLINATION project, with a particular focus on:

• Membrane processes and membrane technologies,
• Zero liquid discharge strategies,
• The project’s brine mining approach, which seeks to recover valuable materials from brine waste,
• The integration of concentrated solar power (CSP) to drive sustainable and energy-efficient desalination processes.

On Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, the DESOLINATION project took center stage at the Onshore Energy Conference (OEC) in London, where approximately 450 delegates gathered at Convene, 155 Bishopsgate.

This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap”, brought together key players from the energy insurance sector to address challenges such as emerging risks, sustainable capital, and the rapid evolution of technology.

Cranfield University, a key partner in the DESOLINATION project, was honored as an invited keynote speaker at the event. Cranfield’s representatives introduced the project and highlighted their research activities, demonstrating how the DESOLINATION project aligns with the evolving needs of the energy sector.

At the 30th SolarPACES conference in Rome, Italy, the DESOLINATION project, represented by its partners, the University of Derby, Teesside University, and UNIBS, made an impressive impact with its innovative research on renewable energy and desalination technologies.

Revolutionizing Power Generation with CO2-Mixture Based Power Cycles

One of the standout moments was the presentation by Teesside University’s Net Zero team. Represented by Professor Patchigolla Kumar and his dynamic research team—Dr. Abubakr Ayub, Balkan Mutlu, and Kristofer Poirier—the team shared groundbreaking advancements in concentrated solar power (CSP) and sustainable desalination.

Balkan Mutlu presented their cutting-edge research, “Optimizing CO2-Mixture Based Power Cycles for CSP Applications: A Multi-Objective Approach.”

This work has the potential to revolutionize Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems and significantly enhance their efficiency.

• Utilizing advanced multi-objective optimization techniques to improve efficiency,
• Developing novel CO2-mixture working fluids that enhance power generation.

By focusing on optimizing these critical aspects, the team aims to significantly boost the performance of CSP plants, pushing the boundaries of renewable energy generation. The innovative approach promises higher efficiencies and lower emissions, making CSP a more viable solution for global energy challenges.

Tackling Water Scarcity with Zero Liquid Discharge Desalination

Another groundbreaking innovation was presented by Kristofer Poirier, showcasing “Innovative Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Desalination for Mineral Recovery Using Solar and Geothermal Energy.”

In this approach, the team is addressing water scarcity through:

• Combining solar and geothermal energy to power desalination processes,
• Achieving near 100% water recovery and recovering valuable minerals, such as lithium carbonate, from brine,
• Reducing waste and improving sustainability by turning waste products into high-purity minerals that can be sold.

This ZLD process not only minimizes environmental impact but also offers economic benefits by turning waste into valuable resources. A case study on Tenerife Island demonstrated how this novel process could improve both the profitability and sustainability of solar-driven and geothermal-driven desalination, showcasing a future-ready solution for water-stressed regions.

Italy has been at the forefront of solar thermal technology for over a decade. The Archimede plant, inaugurated in 2010, was the first CSP demo plant in Italy to utilize molten salt for heat transfer and storage in a parabolic trough system. This pioneering project set the stage for future advancements in the field.