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Spanish research centre (Canary Islands) seeks collaboration with experts in seawater treatment on energy-efficient selective crystallizers for salt extraction from desalination brine

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology request
POD Reference
TRES20241018033
Term of Validity
18 October 2024 - 18 October 2025
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Spanish public research centre based in the Canary Islands specialised in sustainable seawater treatment is seeking a selective crystallizer capable of producing high-purity salt (NaCl ≥99.4%) from concentrated desalination brine (200-250 g/L) to complete the brine valorisation cycle. The centre is looking for partnerships with experienced manufacturers and R&D institutions to provide this technology through a research cooperation or commercial agreement.
Full Description
The research centre, based in Spain, is currently assembling a full process for desalination brine valorisation. This process includes a seawater beach well intake, a reverse osmosis (RO) pilot plant, a nanofiltration (NF) pilot plant to remove divalent ions, and an OARO (osmotic assisted reverse osmosis) brine concentration system. The final brine concentration ranges from 200 to 250 g/L, containing significant levels of sodium chloride (60.4% Cl-, 37.3% Na+).

To close the brine valorisation cycle, the centre seeks a selective crystallizer capable of achieving high-purity NaCl (≥99.4%), which could be utilized in the production of sodium hypochlorite or directly in swimming pool electrolysers. The crystallizer should minimize energy consumption, and the potential integration of renewable energy sources would be highly desirable.

The centre aims to collaborate under a research cooperation agreement or a commercial agreement with companies or institutions that have expertise in the design and construction of energy-efficient selective crystallizers for this type of application.
Advantages and Innovations
• The crystallizer should achieve the highest purity of NaCl (≥99.4%) with minimal energy consumption.
• Compact system designs are preferred to reduce footprint and improve operational efficiency.
• Integration of renewable energy sources into the process is desirable.
• The resulting NaCl crystals will contribute to environmentally sustainable practices and reduce waste from desalination processes.
Stage of Development
  • Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
IPR description
The research centre is looking for companies or R&D institutions with a proven track record in designing and building selective crystallizers with low energy consumption. Experience in handling brines with a similar composition of final brine concentration from 200 to 250 g/L, containing significant levels of sodium chloride (60.4% Cl-, 37.3% Na+), is a plus.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The research centre is interested in partnerships with manufacturers, R&D institutions, or companies capable of delivering energy-efficient selective crystallizers for salt (NaCl) extraction from desalination brine.
Type and Size of Partner
  • R&D Institution
  • Big company
  • SME 50 - 249
  • SME 11-49
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 10004007 - Desalination
  • 10004003 - Wastewater Recycling
Market keywords
  • 08004003 - Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems
Sector Groups Involved
  • Maritime Industries and Services
Targeted countries
  • All countries