Al-Miyah Solutions, a KAUST spin-off, has installed a decentralized wastewater treatment unit in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. The mobile, modular technology converts wastewater into reusable water for areas lacking centralized sewer access, addressing a need for 40% of Saudi households. The technology, developed at KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center, uses aerobic granular sludge and gravity-driven membrane filtration. Why it matters: This deployment offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment and reuse in remote areas of the Kingdom, reducing reliance on costly centralized systems.
KAUST researchers have developed an energy-efficient wastewater treatment process that generates high-quality effluent suitable for reuse. A pilot plant in Jeddah, operating since July 2022 in collaboration with MODON, treats 50,000 liters of wastewater daily off-grid, generating 1.5 kWh of electrical energy per 1,000 liters treated. The plant utilizes an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) coupled with UV disinfection, removing up to 99.9999% of microorganisms and producing less solid waste. Why it matters: This decentralized, energy-independent system offers a sustainable solution for water treatment in resource-scarce regions of the Middle East, aligning with Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals.
KAUST's Sciencetown Episode 25 features Professor Pascal Saikaly discussing novel wastewater treatment approaches at KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center. The episode highlights innovative methods for producing clean water for non-potable uses like irrigation. A recently installed portable pilot plant is designed to provide sanitation for rural Saudi areas with reduced costs. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's contribution to sustainable water solutions, crucial for water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia.
KAUST Associate Professor Peiying Hong has developed a wastewater treatment method using anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology, which converts organic carbon into methane. In partnership with MODON, a pilot program is operational in Jeddah, treating 23,000 liters of wastewater daily using UV light and hydrogen peroxide for disinfection. This system produces clean water suitable for agriculture and biomass for fertilizer, with a smaller footprint and lower energy consumption than traditional aerobic methods. Why it matters: The AnMBR technology aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's water reuse objectives, reducing reliance on energy-intensive desalination and offering a sustainable solution for water-stressed regions.
KAUST researchers led by Pascal Saikaly are developing microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. The team combines METs with membrane filtration, creating a hybrid air-biocathode microbial fuel cell-membrane bioreactor (MFC-MBR) for simultaneous wastewater treatment and ultrafiltration. This system uses an electrically conductive ultrafiltration membrane as a biocathode for electricity generation and passive oxygen transfer. Why it matters: This innovation offers a sustainable approach to water reclamation by reducing energy consumption and producing reusable water, which addresses critical water scarcity challenges in the region and globally.