The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $1,235,696 Project Grant under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to Arizona State University Division (doing business as Orspa) for a 4-year period starting on October 1, 2024. The goal of this multidisciplinary research project is to develop cost- and energy-efficient brine treatment technologies that enable decarbonized brackish water desalination (BWD) to augment freshwater supply and improve climate resilience. The key objectives include: 1) Integrating nanofiltration and reverse osmosis to reduce brine volume; 2) Designing an interface-enhanced crystallizer for energy-efficient brine crystallization; 3) Developing a high-efficiency heat pump to power the zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system; and 4) Evaluating the techno-economic, lifecycle, carbon, and social sustainability of the decarbonized inland BWD with ZLD. The project will also provide research training and curriculum enrichment for students from underrepresented groups.
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