AED 3.4 MILLION
As modern methods for desalination become more efficient, cost effective, and commonly utilised, there is an increasing demand to find alternative solutions for the brine discharge created because of the desalination process, which can cause negative effects on the environment if not disposed of properly.
Challenge Background
Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies are of considerable interest because they are an environmentally acceptable means for disposal of brine discharge at many desalination sites, particularly those located in inland areas. Traditional brine evaporation steps tend to be very energy intensive and are associated with large carbon footprints.
Currently there are no viable solutions to brine discharge and some commercial solutions are either not feasible or not tested. Discharging into an area that is unaffected by the saline water is one option. Another is finding an offsetting economic value for the dry residue such as using the brine discharge to create construction material. According to the annual economic report 2018, the construction and building activities in the UAE contributed to 8.7 % of the GDP in 2017. The UAE is a fast-growing country taking major tech leaps into the future and this challenge will aim to provide a viable input to the construction sector while protecting the environment.
Challenge Background
- Develop technologies that produce commercially viable construction material at scale from brine discharge
- Medical products, such as disinfectants, which can help in combating COVID-19 and other pandemics.
IMPACT
HOW TO WIN
The Grand Prize of AED 2.5 million will be awarded to the team that develops commercially viable construction material or medical product from brine discharge within the time period specified in the competition timeline.
Participants must consider:
- The ability to accommodate and utilise a constant flow of brine discharge.
- The ability to scale the solution to handle 20 000 m3 per day.
- The unit cost of the product created should not exceed the current market price of the raw material.
- The material produced should pass the testing for construction requirements and safety codes.
- Update: The material produced should pass any ethical approvals or safety requirements, if necessary.
The following requirements are not mandatory but demonstrating the two criteria within the developed technology will be viewed more favourably:
- The technology should be designed as part of, or to fit into, an existing desalination plant in the UAE and not as a stand-alone device.
- The technology can rely on renewable energy sources.
