What is it about?
This study explores how a membrane-based technology called direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) can purify two harsh water sources: Arabian Gulf seawater and oilfield-produced brine. By testing two types of membranes (PP and PVDF) under different flow rates, temperatures, and channel sizes, the research identifies the best operating conditions for efficient desalination in hot, dry regions like Kuwait.
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Why is it important?
Freshwater scarcity is a growing global problem, especially in oil-rich and arid regions. Conventional desalination methods are expensive and energy-intensive. This research shows that DCMD can treat highly saline and contaminated water with over 99% salt rejection while offering energy-saving advantages. It also helps design better membrane modules for local use and future scale-up in oilfields and coastal areas.
Perspectives
- For researchers: Provides rare parametric data on DCMD module performance using real seawater and oilfield water under Gulf conditions. - For industry: Shows that with the right setup, oilfield wastewater can be a valuable freshwater resource. - For policymakers: Demonstrates how pilot-ready, lab-scale systems can support sustainable water reuse in MENA and globally.
Dr. Hussain Al-Sairfi
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Performance feasibility study of direct contact membrane distillation systems in the treatment of seawater and oilfield-produced brine: the effect of hot- and cold-channel depth, Desalination and Water Treatment, November 2023, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2023.29942.
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