Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EXBRINER (Next-generation membrane technologies for sustainable exploitation of seawater brine resources:transition towards a circular blue industry)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-09-30
The European Union (EU) is facing significant societal challenges due to its high reliance on imported critical raw materials (CRMs), including metals essential for strategic sectors such as renewable energy, automotive, aerospace, and defense. Current geopolitical uncertainties and geographically concentrated supply chains exacerbate supply risks, with certain materials sourced predominantly from a few countries. This dependence threatens the sustainability and resilience of EU industries, particularly as global demand for CRMs is projected to rise dramatically with the transition to green and digital technologies. Key measures include enhancing domestic extraction, processing, and recycling capabilities to reduce import reliance and diversify supply chains. Additionally, the EU actively supports the exploration of alternative and unconventional sources of CRMs, such as brine from seawater desalination, which is under investigation in the ongoing EXBRINER project. Discharged desalination brine is a severe environmental problem associated with the extensive use of SWRO desalination technology, exacerbated by the relatively low water recovery factor (40–50%) of current plants. EXBRINER, aligned with the principles of the Circular Economy, aims to develop next-generation membranes and membrane-based processes to transform desalination by-products into valuable resources. This innovative approach explores the potential of desalination brine (but research outcomes can be transferred to other natural and industrial brine sources) as future "mine," leveraging advanced technological solutions to recover critical raw materials and reduce environmental impact. By converting waste into value, EXBRINER not only addresses sustainability challenges but also contributes to resource efficiency and the diversification of raw material supply chains, which are crucial for industrial and technological resilience.
EXBRINER's research and training activities focus on the development of pioneering membrane materials and innovative membrane technologies to transform brine from industrial waste into a valuable resource. The EXBRINER consortium brings together seven leading European academic institutions, three research institutes, and four industrial companies renowned for their excellence in membrane engineering across eight European countries (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Germany). This collaboration combines a comprehensive and complementary range of expertise necessary to achieve the project’s objectives. EXBRINER is structured around three main research pillars, involving a cohort of 10 talented doctoral candidates: 1) Synthesis of next-generation functional membrane materials for hypersaline brine treatment; 2) Development of advanced membrane-based crystallization techniques for mineral recovery; 3) Advancements in electrochemical membrane processes for brine valorization and energy generation. EXBRINER integrates its technological breakthroughs into both academic and industrial frameworks, enriching postgraduate education with industry-relevant topics; this ensures the development of a highly skilled workforce aligned with cutting-edge technological advancements.
Thermo-plasmonic membranes, which harness solar radiation to achieve unprecedented brine concentration with reduced energy demand (Photothermal Membrane Distillation), are integrated with highly selective mixed-matrix Nanofiltration membranes to facilitate the separation of monovalent and multivalent ions. This combination has the potential to enhance desalinated water recovery and generate a hypersaline aqueous solution from which minerals can potentially be extracted. Low-resistance, high-permselectivity ion exchange membranes are being developed to support a range of applications, including ion enrichment (Donnan Dialysis, Ion-Selective Electrodialysis), salinity gradient power generation (Reverse Electrodialysis), and raw material recycling in chloro-alkali production (Bipolar Electrodialysis). Advanced Membrane Crystallization operations are currently being investigated for the recovery of critical raw materials, such as lithium (Li⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺), in solid form, offering a sustainable approach to meeting industrial demand for these strategic elements. As low-TRL research activities are carried out at Doctoral level, further efforts are needed to optimize these technologies and demonstrate their scalability in real-world applications. Access to markets and finance will be crucial for the commercialization of these innovations, while support for intellectual property rights (IPR) and international collaboration will enhance the global uptake of these solutions. The successful integration of these advancements into industry practices will require continuous investment in both research and demonstration to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.