A new type of filtration technology has been developed by the scientists at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)’s Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri) that can remove small oil droplets from seawater.
The new technique uses a new type of membrane with unique chemical and physical properties which makes it more efficient and fouling resistant during the oil/water separation process.
The technology and membrane were developed by Qeeri’s Water Centre with support from the Computational-Materials & Processes Centre.
99% of Qatar’s potable water needs are sourced from seawater desalination which also supports a broad range of commercial, industrial and agricultural activities. The nation is slowly transitioning towards the construction of more energy-efficient reverse osmosis (RO) membrane desalination plants from the conventionally thermal desalination. However, desalination facilities, especially RO membranes, are vulnerable to oil contamination in seawater.
The common strategies for oil spill response include spraying chemicals on the seawater surface to disperse oil slicks and deploying floating booms to contain and collect oil. However, these practices stop short of preventing small oil droplets seeping into the seawater intake ports of desalination plants and causing damage or shutdown.
Dr Jenny Lawler Senior Research Director Water Centre at Qeeri
“Oil spill threats are a matter of concern all across the Gulf, as these could potentially cause a complete shutdown of some desalination facilities, which could in turn affect the availability of clean drinking water for Qatar’s population. Accordingly, the development and deployment of mitigation strategies to prevent such catastrophic interruption of seawater desalination from oil contamination are vital to Qatar. Our team at Qeeri is actively involved in developing science and technology solutions to make the desalination process efficient and effective.”
Dr. Marc Vermeersch, executive director at Qeeri, said, “At Qeeri, our primary objective is to help Qatar tackle its grand challenges in energy, water and environment, and we do this through cutting-edge research, development and innovation. Providing customized technological solutions for issues facing Qatar is a top priority.”
Qeeri’s Water Centre Oil and Water Separation Team
Radee al-Rewailly
Dr. Jayaprakash Saththasivam
Dr. Oluwaseun Ogunbiyi and
Dr Zhaoyang Liu.
The team performs design, experimental and modeling studies with support from Dr. Said Ahzi from the Computational-Materials & Processes Centre.
Their focus is on the development of novel materials, components and processes for the mitigation of oil fouling in various industries, including municipal drinking water production and the oil and gas sectors.
As a culmination of a number of years of continued research and development, the team has also filed multiple patents for oil/water separation technology, which cover key markets including the United States, China, the European Union and the Middle East.
