How researchers in Saudi Arabia are turning desalination waste into valuable resources

Special How researchers in Saudi Arabia are turning desalination waste into valuable resources
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General view of the Ras al-Khair water desalination plant, owned by the Saudi government's Saline Water Conversion Corporation, along the Gulf coast in eastern Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
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Updated 09 December 2024
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How researchers in Saudi Arabia are turning desalination waste into valuable resources

How researchers in Saudi Arabia are turning desalination waste into valuable resources
  • Industry experts are working on technology to recover minerals from the highly saline waste liquid produced from desalination.
  • Brine, a byproduct from turning sea water into fresh water, can also be repurposed for energy production, KAUST professor says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has established itself as a global leader in the rapidly advancing water desalination market, doubling its production capacity, while developing new technology to repurpose the harmful byproduct of the process — brine.

While desalination is effective for achieving water sustainability, producing drinking water from sea water in arid regions, it leaves behind a highly concentrated saline fluid. If this brine is disposed of back into the sea without treatment, it poses a potential danger to  marine ecosystems.

Simply put, brine is highly concentrated seawater that contains contaminants, including chemicals used during the desalination process.

“The chemicals should be all neutralized,” said Noreddine Ghaffour, a research professor at the Water Desalination and Reuse Center at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

He told Arab News that “there is no reason to dump chemicals into the sea, because they are all negatively affecting marine life, including chlorine and antiscalants.”




KAUST Professor Noreddine Ghaffour. (Supplied)

Water desalination scientists in Saudi Arabia have developed technologies to neutralize chemicals in brine before discharge and to disperse salt over a radius of up to 2 km when reintroduced into the sea.

Ghaffour, who was granted Saudi citizenship for his work and expertise on desalination, said that researchers and industry experts believe the future of the process is in recovering minerals, while treating the brine and achieving zero liquid discharge.

While around 70 percent of Earth is covered in water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh, of which 1 percent is easily accessible, according to the National Geographic website.

Water desalination separates salt ions from sea water to make it safe for consumption. Salinity levels vary by body of water; for example, the Red Sea has 40 grams of salt per liter, while the Arabian Gulf’s salinity is 45 grams per liter.

The main water desalination technologies employed globally are: reverse osmosis, which separates salt ions from water molecules through a semipermeable membrane; multi-stage flash and multi-effect distillation, which are thermal processes that use evaporation and condensation; and electrodialysis, where electricity drives the salt ions in the water towards electrodes to be removed.

All three technologies produce brine, but reverse osmosis plants generate lower quantities compared with the other two methods.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Some elements, like lithium, are 5,000 times more abundant in the ocean than on land. Lithium is crucial for Li-ion batteries. (Source: KAUST)

• In 2021, Saudi Arabia set a world record for the lowest energy consumption in mobile desalination, reducing it to 2.27 kWh/m³. (Source: Desalination Lab)

• By 2040, 33 countries, including 14 in the Middle East, are projected to face extreme water stress. (Source: Desalination Lab) 

Reverse osmosis, according to Ghaffour, uses a method called membrane separation, where osmotic pressure is overcome by a semipermeable membrane that filters out salt ions, allowing only water molecules to pass through.

Ghaffour explained that semipermeable membranes filter out the salt and reject it into the brine. The high rejection rate, which is about 99 percent, leads to the production of highly saline brine.




After pretreatment, the feed water is introduced to the RO system, where dissolved solids are removed, and freshwater is produced. (Photo courtesy: Saudi Water Authority)

Moreover, osmotic pressure — the force applied to a solution to prevent a solvent from passing through a semipermeable membrane — requires a lot of electrical energy.

“Electricity is one of the most expensive energy forms… the main problem with (reverse osmosis) is that we do this under pressure,” the KAUST professor said.

He added: “The more salt, the higher the osmotic pressure. In order to pass only water molecules through the membrane, we need to apply a pressure which is higher than the osmotic pressure.




Illustration courtesy of the Saudi Water Authority

“And the osmotic pressure in Red Sea water, for instance, is 30 bar… so we need a pressure higher than 30 bar, which is a very high pressure.”

He also explained that “recovery” refers to “how much water we recover from the sea,” adding that “if the recovery is 50 percent, this means that salt contents are doubled.”

Ghaffour said selecting the correct location for a desalination plant is highly important. Authorities must choose sites with a reliable water intake that will not disrupt marine ecosystems or impact densely populated areas.




A view of an outfall system of desalination plant, which handles the safe discharge of treated wastewater back into the environment. (Photo courtesy: Saudi Water Authority)

According to the UN Environment Programme, unless waste water is properly treated and dispersed, it may form a dense plume of toxic brine, which can degrade coastal and marine ecosystems. 

Increased salinity and temperature can reduce dissolved oxygen levels and contribute to the formation of “dead zones” — areas where few marine species can survive.

Ghaffour said that while brine is bad for the environment, it has not caused significant global environmental harm. Over the past 30 to 40 years, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region have experienced few negative side-effects from the desalination process, he said.




Processing brine to yield useful chemicals such as NaOH and HCl. (Infographic courtesy of MIT News)

Concern over waste water from desalination returning to the sea at a higher temperature is less of an issue with the reverse osmosis method, Ghaffour said. “We have the same temperature as sea water, maybe one degree more, which is affordable.”

Researchers are determined to achieve zero liquid discharge, which involves treating brine until only solids remain. However, this process also concentrates all the salts in the same place.

To remove salt ions from brine, a complex and costly process called mineral recovery is used.




Brine from water desalination as a raw material. (Courtesy of global-recyling.info)

The challenge in mineral recovery lies in the fact that high-value minerals, such as lithium, rubidium, and uranium, are present in brine at very low concentrations. 

To make the process efficient and economically viable, further technological advancements are needed. 

Currently, “there are no technologies to handle this huge volume,” Ghaffour said. “We are talking about huge volumes of water, like 1 million tons of water (recovered) every day, it’s higher than a river.”

Several technologies have been developed for mineral recovery on a smaller scale. One method involves chemical treatments that precipitate different salts in stages, starting with calcium carbonate and ending with lithium.

Another mineral recovery method involves the use of ion exchange membranes or absorbents designed to capture specific minerals, such as lithium.




The post-treatment stage process is mainly for stabilization, corrosion control, disinfection, and air stripping for CO2 & H2S removal. (Photo courtesy: Saudi Water Authority)

One of the largest areas of current research is the magnesium hydroxide family, particularly for its applications in the cement and concrete industry. 

Saudi Arabia is already using nanofiltration technology to produce magnesium from magnesium-rich waters, with the next step being the extraction of magnesium hydroxide for cement production.

Expensive and critical minerals like rubidium — which costs around $3,000 per kilo — as well as uranium and lithium, are of great interest, but are costly to extract due to their low concentrations, requiring significantly more energy in the process. 

From a commercial perspective, businesses prefer to purchase lithium from produced water — a byproduct of oil and gas production — rather than from brine. 

Brine can also be repurposed to enhance the efficiency of the desalination process. Due to its high osmotic potential, brine can be used for energy production.

Ghaffour said that several companies are utilizing reverse electrodialysis to generate energy, which is then used to power the reverse osmosis process. 

In addition, to achieve a circular carbon economy, reverse electrodialysis can be combined with brine dilution for mineral recovery, allowing part of the brine to be reused in an efficient closed-loop system.

“This is what I call a seawater factory,” Ghaffour said. “We take seawater and we produce everything from seawater without polluting back. 

“Many experts are saying that in the future, desalinated water, which is what we need most, will itself be a byproduct, because we will have so many more valuable products from the sea. Then this desalinated water will be just one of the byproducts.”




Operational tanks are used to store freshwater for distribution through transmission lines. (Photo courtesy: Saudi Water Authority)

However, he believes that turning this vision into reality will take time.

“We have to distinguish between two things. One is science and the second one is technology scale-up.”

In September 2024, Lihytech, a KAUST startup, announced a partnership with Aramco to strategically collaborate on recovering lithium from oilfield brines using direct lithium extraction technology and a membrane developed at KAUST. 

Ghaffour is also collaborating with a Singaporean company, MediSun Energy, to integrate desalination with energy and mineral production, aiming to optimize these processes as a whole. A pilot facility has already been installed in South Korea, with plans for another installation in Saudi Arabia. 

“The whole world is working on this (mineral recovery and optimizing desalination). We will see a lot of developments in this, in my opinion,” he said.
 

 


KSrelief aids communities in need

KSrelief aids communities in need
Updated 25 sec ago
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KSrelief aids communities in need

KSrelief aids communities in need

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues its humanitarian projects to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agency delivered medications for blood diseases and thalassemia to the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate.

KSrelief distributed 1,143 boxes of dates in Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 1,143 families, while also distributing clothing bags to 132 needy families in the same region.

The agency handed out 1,500 food baskets to displaced and vulnerable families in Sudan’s Ad-Damir in the Nile River state, benefiting 9,000 people.

It also supplied 472 food parcels to vulnerable individuals in the Western Bekaa region of Lebanon, helping 2,360 people.

KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth nearly $7.9 billion in 106 countries since its launch in May 2015, working with more than 300 local, regional, and international partners.


Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities

Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities
Updated 45 min 58 sec ago
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Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities

Riyadh’s beauty spots come to life with Eid festivities
  • Families embrace Eid Al-Fitr by enjoying picnics and outdoor fun

Riyadh: Riyadh takes on a magical charm during Eid Al-Fitr, becoming a hub of festive picnic spots.

One popular destination is Wadi Hanifa, a serene valley in the heart of the capital. With lush greenery, man-made lakes, water channels and diverse wildlife, it offers a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Mohammed Abdul Jaleel, a Lebanese visitor, said: “We are here with friends and family, enjoying a barbecue and celebrating this special occasion with joy. The weather is perfect, kids are playing, and families are making the most of this time before summer sets in.”

He added: “Whether hiking, cycling, or picnicking by the water, Wadi Hanifa offers a refreshing retreat in nature.”

Riyadh resident Baddiuzz Zaman Sheikh, celebrating Eid with friends, said: “It is a great picnic spot. I come here often for barbecues. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, it is a popular getaway.”

Anyone familiar with the area likely knows Wadi Hanifa — once a dumping ground but now a lush desert oasis, transformed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City with gardens, wetlands and thousands of trees.

As well as evening strolls and picnics, Wadi Hanifa offers an array of exciting activities — and many people are unaware it is a global destination for runners.

The Great Runs website highlights the “groomed trails” near the Diplomatic Quarter, which feature an 8 km loop through desert scenery. South of the valley, Stone Dam Park challenges athletes with a 210-step staircase.

Jamal Hassan, a Yemeni expat who was enjoying a card game with friends, said: “This beautiful valley on Riyadh’s outskirts offers water channels, green corridors, walkways and picnic spots amid orchards and farms, making it a top attraction for residents and visitors.

“Riyadh needed a place like this — an escape into nature away from the city's hustle. It is a perfect spot to relax.”

Another popular Eid picnic spot is Wadi Namar, south of the capital. Its dam, lake and scenic waterfall draws people all year round.

Tabinda Qamar, there with her family, said: “On Eid’s first day, it was so crowded that security asked us to return early the next day. We did — and had a wonderful time. The park is spacious, with play areas for kids, making it ideal for families and friends. It is a perfect holiday spot, and we truly enjoyed it.”

Many people also visit Salam Park, which features a large, illuminated lake with fountains, playgrounds, green spaces and recreational areas. Once a private farm with date palms, a residential estate and a 70-year-old mosque, it was later transformed due to its strategic location and the city’s need for open spaces.

Rumana Ambar, who visited with her family, said: “It is a natural retreat in the busy city — perfect for holidays with family and friends. With well-maintained facilities, it stands out as one of Riyadh’s top attractions.”


Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini

Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini
Updated 47 min 9 sec ago
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Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini

Tabuk camel riders celebrate Eid to the rhythms of Al-Hijini
  • The tempo of the verses aligns with the camels’ steady strides, creating a harmonious blend of words and motion
  • Traditionally performed solo, Al-Hijini often becomes a communal chant during celebrations

TABUK: In Tabuk’s vast, Eid is a radiant celebration infused with the scent of the land, the memory of ancestors and deeply rooted traditions passed down with pride across generations.

Here, where the sands stretch endlessly, camel riders known as hajjanah form majestic processions, offering greetings to locals while chanting Al-Hijini, poetry that stirs the heart tales of pride, love and loyalty, preserving the soul of the desert.

Al-Hijini is deeply tied to Bedouin culture, serving as a medium for expressing emotions. (SPA)

Among the people of Tabuk, customs steeped in authenticity and dignity come to life during vibrant Eid celebrations.

They are a blend of heritage and contemporary life, rooted in the nomadic rhythm of the desert. Camels, specially adorned for the occasion, play a central role in the festivities as riders set out across the sands, joyfully chanting traditional verses.

Al-Hijini poetry derives its name from the well-trained camels used for riding and racing. The riders recite lyrical verses that encompass various themes of life, often focusing on patriotism and romance. The rhythm matches the camels’ steady strides, creating a harmonious blend of words and motion.

Caption

Noted for its simple melodies and brisk tempo, Al-Hijini uplifts the spirits and eases the solitude of travelers and desert caravans. It is deeply tied to Bedouin culture, serving as a medium for expressing emotions, recording daily experiences, relaying wisdom and preserving ancestral proverbs.

Traditionally performed solo, Al-Hijini often becomes a communal chant during celebrations such as Eid, with collective recitation reflecting the unity and solidarity of Tabuk’s desert communities.

Noted for its simple melodies and brisk tempo, Al-Hijini naturally accompanies travelers and desert caravans. (SPA)

 


Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge

Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge
Updated 02 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge

Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik-Kyrgyz-Uzbek border treaty and ‘eternal friendship’ pledge
  • Deal formalized the point where the three Central Asian countries’ borders meet in the mountainous Fergana Valley
  • Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed the border deal forged between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the Fergana Valley, a long-disputed region that has ignited bloody clashes.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom also congratulated the three Central Asian neighbors for signing a Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, wishing them “continued stability and prosperity.”

Saudi Arabia has maintained deep ties with Central Asian countries, even hosting the GCC Central Asian Investment Forum 2024 in May last year.

The border deal signed on Monday by presidents Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Sadyr Japarov Kyrgyzstan, formalized the point where their countries’ borders meet in the mountainous valley.

The densely populated region has been the scene of numerous conflicts — mainly for control of water that is running out in a region badly hit by climate change.

The three leaders met several days before an EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan. Relations between the former Soviet republics, long strained by rivalries, have warmed recently.

A map of the Fergana Valley. (Wikimedia Commons: Uwe Dedering)

Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated.

But in recent years, Central Asian countries have announced border agreements to regulate the sharing of water, facilitate trade and ensure the stability of this resource-rich region.

In the Tajik city of Khujand, the three presidents also called in similar statements for “reinforcing the cooperation between brotherly nations” — including in energy and transport.

The Tajik and Kyrgyz leaders also inaugurated a section of a joint high-voltage line to supply Pakistan and Afghanistan with energy produced by Central Asian hydroelectric power stations.

The summit follows the signing of border treaties in mid-March between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 2023.

(With AFP)

 

 

 


Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
Updated 02 April 2025
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Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
  • Trip to Kingdom will be first foreign trip of president’s second term

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump is to visit Saudi Arabia in May, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president will be heading to Saudi Arabia in May. As for specific dates and details, we will be reading those out to you as soon as we possibly can.”

 

 

The trip to the Kingdom will be the first foreign trip of Trump’s second term as president.

Regarding a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Leavitt said that Trump “has made it clear that’s what he wants to see” and “his team remains engaged on it every day.”

Saudi Arabia has hosted talks involving the US and Russia, and the US and Ukraine as Trump facilitates moves toward a ceasefire.