In the heart of Australia, researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have been cooking up a storm—not in the kitchen, but in the lab. Their latest creation? A novel technology that could revolutionize how we handle one of the energy sector’s most pressing challenges: hypersaline brine management. The lead author, Christopher Jackson from the ANU HEAT Lab, has just published a groundbreaking study in the journal ‘npj Clean Water’ (which translates to ‘npj Pure Water’), shedding light on the techno-economic viability of a method called multichannel thermodiffusion (MTD).
Imagine this: instead of using energy-intensive evaporation ponds that take up vast amounts of space and time, MTD could potentially concentrate brine faster and more sustainably. “We’re talking about a technology that doesn’t require phase change or functional materials,” Jackson explains. “It’s a game-changer for hypersaline streams, which are typically difficult to treat using conventional methods.”
The study reveals that MTD could outperform evaporation ponds in certain scenarios, even without considering the added value of water recovery and reduced environmental impacts. For instance, when using low-grade waste heat (LGWH)—a byproduct often discarded in industrial processes—MTD becomes more cost-effective than evaporation ponds for brine concentrations exceeding approximately 95 parts per thousand (ppt). With grid heating, this threshold increases to about 200 ppt.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? Well, hypersaline brine is a common byproduct in various industries, including desalination and hydrocarbon extraction. Current methods for managing these brines are often inefficient and environmentally taxing. MTD offers a promising alternative, potentially reducing costs and environmental impacts while improving processing times.
Jackson and his team also explored the economics of using MTD to treat other concentrates, such as sodium hydroxide, potash, and lithium brines. The results suggest that MTD could have broad applications across different industries, making it a versatile tool in the fight against freshwater scarcity and industrial pollution.
The study also identifies key economic drivers, such as heat cost and construction materials, which could guide future developments and optimizations. As Jackson puts it, “Further technological developments are expected to make MTD more competitive, especially as a pre-treatment step in hybrid systems.”
In the grand scheme of things, this research could shape the future of brine management and desalination. By offering a faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to evaporation ponds, MTD has the potential to transform how we handle hypersaline brines, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and efficient energy sector. As the world grapples with freshwater scarcity and industrial pollution, innovations like MTD offer a beacon of hope, driving us towards a more sustainable future.