This project proposes extended field testing of innovative anti-scaling and antifouling electrically conducting desalination membranes against commercial membranes to demonstrate performance through…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, under its Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR) program (CFDA 15.506), awarded a $610,056 Cooperative Agreement to Pacifica Water Solutions LLC on Sep 21, 2023. The project aims to conduct extended field testing of innovative electrically conducting desalination membranes against commercial membranes over two consecutive 3-month trials. The testing will demonstrate the performance of this technology in two applications: RO concentrate minimization and oil and gas produced water softening/pre-treatment. The goals are to significantly reduce the footprint, increase freshwater recovery, minimize concentrate waste, and lower capital and operating costs and environmental impacts of desalination. This effort aligns with the DWPR program's objectives to augment usable water supplies in the U.S. and develop desalination technologies with reduced environmental impact compared to alternative water supply methods.

This project proposes extended field testing of innovative anti-scaling and antifouling electrically conducting desalination membranes against commercial membranes to demonstrate performance through two consecutive 3-month tests in two applications - RO concentrate minimization and oil and gas produced water softening and pre-treatment. This technology seeks to significantly reduce the footprint, increase the freshwater recovery, minimize concentrate waste, and as a result decrease capital and operating cost and environmental impacts of desalination.