The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has completed a research project focused on solar-powered desalination technology. The project, titled “Developing Performance Features for Using Integrated Solar-Powered Air-Gap Membrane Distillation Technology for Desalination of Seawater in Kuwait,” tested a new system for converting seawater into fresh water.
A pilot unit was installed at KISR’s desalination research station. The system was tested using Arabian Gulf seawater under real-world conditions in Kuwait. The system uses solar energy to power the air-gap membrane distillation process, which heats seawater and drives it through a membrane to separate fresh water from salts and impurities. This method utilizes heat generated from solar power to create the necessary temperature difference for the process. The project was led by researchers Dr. Garudachari Bhadrachari and Dr. Mansour Ahmed, along with the director of the Water Desalination Technologies Program at KISR.
The system produced 23.42 liters of fresh water per day during testing. The researchers studied the technology’s performance and created a knowledge base to understand its operation in Kuwait’s environment. A conceptual design for scaling the system to larger capacities was also developed. This included mathematical modeling and simulations to evaluate its technical and economic feasibility.
The system has features that address challenges faced by traditional desalination methods, such as reducing blockages, salt deposits, and corrosion. This could extend the life of membranes and lower the need for chemical additives compared to reverse osmosis systems.
The researchers recommended further testing at a larger scale, using renewable energy and waste heat recovery to make the system more energy-efficient. Kuwait is also expanding its renewable energy projects. The Shagaya Renewable Energy Park, for example, has an installed capacity of 70 MW, combining solar PV, wind, and concentrated solar power.
