Significant progress was made in modelling, testing, and optimizing the CO2-SO2 power cycle for the pilot plant. Dynamic simulations using Aspen Plus Dynamics provided crucial insights into transient behaviour. Experimental reliability testing of heat exchangers confirmed strong thermal performance. In addition, material compatibility tests identified corrosion-resistant alloys with superior resistance at 550°C, ensuring long-term durability of high-temperature components. Ongoing work focuses on validating dynamic turbomachinery models using industry partners data and integrating a full transcritical cycle loop.
On the water side, FO experiments were performed using Aquaporin hollow fibre HFF02 and TOYOBO hollow fibre membrane. Three thermo-responsive polymers Unilube 50MB-26, Pluronics L-35 and Polycerin55Gl-2601 tested as draw solution (DS) with 3.5Wt.% NaCl as feed. Experiments were also carried out by adding three different salts i.e. MgCl2, CaCl2 and NaCl to the polymeric DS to increase the osmotic pressure and eventually the FO performance. Based on the results, the design of the demonstration plant has been carried out.
For VMD, tubular ceramic membrane was tested for varying feed concentration (3.5 - 14 Wt.% of NaCl) and feed temperature (60 – 80°C).
Furthermore, NF experiments were performed for water-rich phase of the diluted DS having 2 Wt.% concentration of Unilube 50MB-26 by commercial flat sheet NF90 membrane from DuPont.
Testing of a coalescer separator with a thermo-responsive draw agent (PAGB2000), with three different metal meshes used to increase the coalescence effect and obtain an efficiency formulation.
FO Layer-by-layer membranes and high-flux asymmetric α-alumina ceramic membranes are being developed and are ongoing pilot testing.
Development of a novel brine mining process involving multi-crystallisation and demonstrating high recovery and purity of salts including Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, NaCl and Li2CO3.
The optimal configuration was identified with Forward Osmosis and Nanofiltration for the final purification, Membrane distillation to increase the recovery ratios up to 85% and the final brine treatment with mineral recovery. The overall Specific Energy consumption is below 100 kWh/m3 as planned. The recuperative heat exchanger was also designed and manufactured.
The container for the Adaptive Coupling System (ACS) has been designed, 3D modelled, built and shipped. The desalination system has been designed and is in the final stage of 3D design. Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in early March 2025. The molten salt system is in the final design stage.
Preparation and management of the site to host the sCO2 cycle components, adaptative and desalination systems and related structures, also managing integration with existing KSU facilities. Preparation of power supply required, thermal insulation of ducts, water supply/discharge are in progress.
A new platform to host the Heat Recovery Exchanger (HRE) has been constructed.
Education and students training in Sustainable power and desalination technologies using solar and CO2. This includes the discussion of a MSc project in June 2024 on PTC coupled with sCO2 cycle for various Saudi climates; Also, students’ projects on solar CO2 power, desalination with storage in the frame of BSc, MSc and PhD courses.
The complete plant assessment methodology has been defined, including the baseline of a conventional reference system of CSP + Desalination, the scope of the LCA and boundary system, and the running of case studies in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain for social impact definition.
