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 are developing innovative solutions for water treatment and desalination in Saudi Arabia. A pilot anaerobic membrane bioreactor in Jeddah treats 50,000 liters of wastewater daily at zero energy cost, producing water suitable for reuse and liquid fertilizer. Another KAUST team focuses on advancing desalination technologies by integrating renewable energy and reducing energy consumption and brine discharge. Why it matters: These advancements can significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's water security and sustainability goals by reducing reliance on non-renewable groundwater and fossil fuels for desalination.
KAUST Assistant Professor Peiying Hong is researching methods to improve the safety of treated wastewater for reuse, motivated by increasing global water scarcity. Hong's work builds on Singapore's success in achieving water self-sufficiency through desalination and wastewater treatment. She aims to apply similar solutions to address water scarcity in countries like Saudi Arabia, where freshwater is limited. Why it matters: This research addresses critical water security challenges in water-stressed regions like Saudi Arabia and promotes sustainable water management practices.
KAUST researchers are partnering with Saudi farmers and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) to develop tailored desalination solutions for agriculture. A new KAUST Center of Excellence project aims to integrate controlled environment agriculture (CEA) with desalination of non-conventional water resources for hydroponic farming. The approach focuses on selective ion removal to provide 'clean-enough' water, reducing energy use and costs compared to traditional desalination. Why it matters: This initiative could enable more sustainable and affordable local crop production in Saudi Arabia, potentially shifting the Kingdom from importing to exporting agricultural technologies.
KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) is developing solar-powered seawater desalination technologies, including the MEDAD cycle which combines adsorption desalination (AD) and multi-effect distillation (MED). The MEDAD cycle, developed by Professor Kim Choon Ng, doubles water production at the same temperature, reducing costs to $0.48/m3 compared to $1.201/m3 for multi-stage flash distillation. A 100 m3/day commercial-scale MEDAD project was commissioned in Riyadh in 2017 in collaboration with KACST, and a larger 2,000 m3/day project is planned for Yanbu. Why it matters: This highlights Saudi Arabia's move towards sustainable energy and the role of research institutions like KAUST in developing cost-effective desalination technologies suitable for the region.