A groundbreaking solar water treatment initiative is about to commence in Oman, representing a major leap forward in sustainable water treatment technology.
Austrian startup Heliovis has revealed that its Solar Water Treatment Plant (SWTP), situated at a remote oilfield in the Dhofar Governorate, is set to begin operations around mid-August 2024.
This cutting-edge facility, located at the Small Oilfield Cluster of ARA Petroleum in Qarat Al Milh, aims to transform highly saline, oil-contaminated produced water into freshwater harnessing solar energy.
The project is a partnership involving ARA Petroleum LLC, Heliovis AG, and Trevi Systems Inc. from the U.S., integrating advanced solar thermal energy technology with innovative Forward Osmosis (FO) water treatment methods.
A pilot plant is projected to generate around 140 cubic meters of freshwater daily, demonstrating the feasibility of zero-emission water desalination techniques that utilize waste resources such as produced water.
Trevi Systems’ FO technology employs osmotic pressure to extract freshwater through a membrane, using heat as the main energy source, making it particularly effective for treating hyper-saline produced water.
This approach is more energy-efficient than traditional desalination methods, making it suitable for oilfield operations in Oman, where significant amounts of produced water result from oil and gas extraction.
“This project stands as a beacon for future initiatives across the Gulf region, promoting the use of solar thermal energy in various industrial applications,” the Austrian firm said.
“We are proud to partner with ARA Petroleum E&P and Trevi Systems Inc. in this groundbreaking venture, driving innovation and sustainability in the energy sector,” it added.
Source :Zawya
