Securing a reliable water supply for agriculture is of utmost importance. This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel desalination concept to recover both water and solid products (salts, nutrients) from various saltwater (waste) streams. This is a promising water source which is often overlooked, but interesting for various users. Our approach involves employing membrane technology to recover water, followed by the application of a patented crystallization process to harvest products.

The COMBRINE project directly supports Mission C: Climate-proof rural and urban areas and specifically MMIP C4: Smart solutions for water management and circular resource use. The project focuses on developing innovative technologies for efficient water treatment and the recovery of valuable resources from wastewater streams.

By combining membrane distillation with crystallization processes, COMBRINE offers a sustainable solution for treating concentrated brine streams. This contributes to:
• Climate adaptation: Reducing water scarcity through efficient purification and reuse of water sources.
• Managing extreme weather conditions: Optimizing urban and rural water management by improving the handling of wastewater and brine streams.
• Circular economy: Recovering salts and minerals prevents resource wastage and promotes sustainable resource use.
The project supports the transition to climate-resilient regions by developing technologies that not only manage wastewater but also generate valuable resources.

This project strongly aligns with the goals of the Innovation Program by addressing critical challenges in sustainable water management, resource recovery, and environmental resilience. It connects with the following components of the Theory of Change (ToC):
1. Enhancing resilience to water-related challenges
The project addresses the urgent need for innovative solutions to treat brine streams, a growing issue due to stricter discharge regulations and increased industrial wastewater volumes. By combining membrane distillation (MD) with crystallization, the COMBRINE project offers a scalable and efficient technology to convert saline and brackish water into fresh water while simultaneously recovering valuable salts. This approach mitigates water scarcity, particularly in coastal and water-stressed areas, by enabling the use of alternative water sources like seawater and industrial salt wastewater. Furthermore, it eliminates local brine discharge, reducing environmental pressures on surrounding water bodies.
2. Driving a circular and sustainable economy
By recovering valuable salts and minerals from brine streams, the project transforms wastewater into a resource. This reduces dependence on raw materials, minimizes waste, and supports sustainable practices in industrial water management. The knowledge gained from this project addresses a critical gap in understanding the relationship between water quality and resource availability for agriculture and urban applications, especially in areas dealing with brackish water challenges. These insights will facilitate decision-making and improve collaboration between water providers and users, accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
Additional Alignment with MMIP C4 and C1
The project contributes directly to MMIP C4 by enhancing the quality and availability of fresh water for agriculture and urban use. Simultaneously, it supports MMIP C1 by promoting water reuse and reducing reliance on groundwater and surface water resources. By utilizing salt wastewater as a raw material source and addressing brine discharge challenges, COMBRINE offers a comprehensive solution that aligns with the Innovation Program’s focus on water sustainability and resource recovery.

The COMBRINE project aims to deliver a range of tangible and measurable results across its three-year duration. These include technical, economic, and dissemination outcomes, with timelines and deliverables specified for each year:
Content Deliverables:
1. Laboratory-Scale Feasibility Studies (Year 1):
o D1.1: Selection and characterization of saltwater streams suitable for membrane distillation (MD) and membrane distillation crystallization (MDC) by Month 3.
o D3.1: Evaluation and selection of antisolvent for crystallization (Month 6).
o D3.2: Selection of membrane types and modules optimized for fouling and scaling resistance (Month 6).
2. Small Pilot Demonstrations (Years 1-2):
o D2.1: Laboratory-scale verification of MD up to near saturation levels (Month 6).
o D2.2: Performance data for MD on small pilot scales at Nobian and Circle infra partners, with medium-term results (Month 18).
3. Integrated Process Development (Years 2-3):
o D5.1: Design and construction of an experimental setup for integrated MD and antisolvent crystallization processes on a laboratory scale (Month 20).
o D5.2: Experimental evaluation of the integrated process, yielding key performance indicators (Month 30).
4. Technical and Economic Insights (Year 3):
o D6.1: Cost estimations for the integrated process based on KPIs and comparison with benchmark technologies (Month 34).
o D6.3: Preliminary value proposition for fresh water and salts derived from the desalination process (Month 34).
5. Knowledge Transfer and Reporting (Years 1-3):
o Comprehensive reporting and dissemination through workshops, publications, and project meetings (ongoing, concluding Month 36).
Results Such as Meetings and Reports:
• Kick-off meeting with all partners at the project start (Month 1).
• Biannual progress meetings for monitoring and refining project outcomes (Months 6, 12, 18, 24, 30).
• Final meeting to consolidate findings, assess outcomes, and plan scale-up strategies (Month 36).