Challenges in the GCC
The GCC nations face a stark reality as some of the world's most water-stressed countries, primarily due to a lack of surface water and rapidly declining aquifers. This scarcity has led to a heavy reliance on desalination to meet water needs.
- Heavy Reliance on Desalination: To survive, the region produces a large share of the world's 140 million m³/day of desalinated water, but this comes at high energy and financial costs.
- Brine Discharge: This process generates a staggering 140 million tons of brine daily, which harms marine biodiversity, reduces fisheries productivity, and negatively impacts coastal livelihoods.
Our Solution: Newater House
The Newater House is a revolutionary modular water treatment system designed to address the challenges of water scarcity with next-generation technology. It transforms traditional plant engineering into a compact, intelligent, and scalable solution.
Product Overview
Core Innovations
- Proprietary technology with multiple patents.
- Powered by the WateRobot AI platform.
- Intelligent optimization with real-time data analysis.
- Modular flexibility for diverse requirements.
Key Applications
- Seawater desalination.
- High-quality drinking water production.
- Municipal & industrial wastewater treatment.
- Resource recovery in industrial parks.
Breakthrough Technology
The Newater House redefines desalination performance through the phased integration of advanced technologies, enabling it to handle both groundwater and seawater profiles.
81% Recovery Rate
Nearly double the recovery of conventional SWRO/BWRO systems, achieved through our innovative multi-stage approach.
61% Brine Reduction
A significant decrease in reject volume from ~3,046 m³/d to ~1,176 m³/d per unit, dramatically reducing environmental impact.
AI-Powered Operations
Digital twin systems enable predictive maintenance, real-time optimization, and adaptive performance based on source water conditions.
Energy Efficient
Specific energy consumption is low, at $\le 4.5$ to $5.5~kWh/m^{3}$, which is far lower than ZLD alternatives requiring $12-15~kWh/m^{3}$.
Advanced Process Flow
The Newater House uses a sophisticated multi-stage filtration process combining ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (SWRO/BWRO), with PFO, EDM, and RED systems for maximum efficiency.
The system has a water production capacity of 5,000 m³/day. With the standard configuration, it achieves a recovery rate of >62%, and with the advanced PFO/EDM/RED system, this recovery increases to >81%.
The detailed diagram shows the flow of water and concentration changes at each stage, from an in-take TDS of 25,000 ppm to a final production of 5000 m³/day with 150 ppm.
Core Filtration Modules
1. Ultrafiltration
90-95% recovery rate with $\le0.02\mu m$ filtration precision and $\le0.1$ NTU turbidity output.
2. Nanofiltration
$\ge70\%$ recovery with $\ge95\%$ $MgSO_{4}$ removal, reducing scaling potential in downstream RO.
3. Reverse Osmosis
60-75% recovery with $\ge95\%$ salt rejection, producing high-quality water at 12-19 LMH flux.
Advanced Technologies for Maximum Recovery
WEGen Reverse Electrodialysis (RED)
The WeGen 1.0 RED system generates electricity from the salinity difference between seawater and fresh water while also reducing brine volume.
- Treats 500 m³/day of seawater + freshwater per set.
- Produces 2 KWh of energy per stack.
- 5-year product lifecycle per stack.
Pressurized Forward Osmosis (PFO)
PFO technology enables higher recovery rates by concentrating brine up to 170,000 ppm through multiple osmotic membrane stages.
- Operates at >80% recovery with 20,000-40,000 mg/L feeds.
- Lower applied hydraulic pressures than conventional RO.
- Uses commercially available "off-the-shelf" pressure vessels.
Electrodialysis Metathesis (EDM)
EDM is used to concentrate the NF brine water, which has a high content of Ca, Mg, and SO4. This allows for a greater amount of fresh water to be recovered without scaling problems.
- High recovery up to 90%.
- Produces two brine streams rich in compounds like Ca/Mg and SO4.
- No applied pressure required.
Conventional vs. Advanced Configuration
The advanced configuration (UF+NF+SWRO+BWRO+EDM+PFO) significantly outperforms conventional systems in recovery rate and long-term cost efficiency.
Inlet Flow
Conventional: 8,046 m³/day
Advanced: 6,176 m³/day
Brine Flow
Conventional: 3,046 m³/day
Advanced: 1,176 m³/day
Recovery
Conventional: 62%
Advanced: 81%
LCOW
Conventional: $3.66/m³
Advanced: $2.57/m³
- The advanced system requires 23% less ground water.
- It reduces brine by approximately ~61%.
- It offers ~31% better recovery.
- It has a ~30% lower levelized cost of water over a 30-year lifecycle.
AI-Powered Operations
The WateRobot AI platform enables fully autonomous operations through a multi-modal model fusion architecture. This provides a strategic advantage with a centralized command center for nationwide operations, allowing for intuitive predictive and prescriptive monitoring and unmanned maintenance.
Operational Benefits
- 7x24-hour continuous stable operation.
- 100% compliance with water quality standards.
- 50% reduction in process fluctuations.
- 100% automated monitoring coverage.
Risk Management
- Zero missed or false alarms.
- 50% faster emergency response.
- 20% reduction in equipment failure.
- Proactive maintenance scheduling.
Cost Reduction
- 35% total OPEX reduction.
- 15% savings in chemical/power use.
- 60% reduction in labor costs.
- Extended equipment lifespan.
Pilot Implementation Methodology
A phased roll-out approach ensures cost-efficiency, risk minimization, and performance validation.
Phase 1: Core Desalination
Deploy UF+NF+SWRO+BWRO to achieve 40-50% recovery at 25,000 ppm feed TDS.
Phase 2: Enhanced Recovery with Energy Generation
Integrate PFO/EDM modules to treat concentrated brine, increasing recovery to ~75%. Finally, add RED for energy recovery and final brine minimization, bringing overall recovery to ~81% with reject flow below 1,175 m³/day.
Pilot Financial Perspective
CAPEX
Advanced configuration requires higher initial investment ($9.6M vs $4.4M for conventional system).
OPEX
Higher operational costs ($0.84/m³ vs $0.39/m³ due to additional processes and energy requirements).
LCOW
A remarkable 30% lower Levelized Cost of Water over a 30-year lifecycle ($2.57/m³ vs $3.66/m³) due to efficiency gains and reduced brine disposal costs.
Conclusion: Global & Local Impact
Impact on the UAE
- Alignment with National Strategies: Supports the UAE Net Zero 2050, Water Security Strategy 2036, Circular Economy Policy, and Energy Strategy 2050.
- Reduced Environmental Burden: Achieves up to 81% recovery and 61% brine reduction.
- Economic Efficiency: Lowers long-term Levelized Cost of Water (LCOW) by 30%.
- Resilience and Flexibility: Modular, mobile units enable rapid deployment in emergencies.
Global Impact
- Blueprint for Next-Generation Desalination: A scalable model for water-stressed regions worldwide.
- Climate Action Contribution: Supports SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Circular Economy & Resource Recovery: Recovers resources from brine, turning waste streams into opportunities.
- Catalyst for Innovation: Demonstrates how AI and advanced membrane technologies can modernize desalination.
Ready to Transform Your Water Solutions?
Contact us today to learn how Newater House can deliver sustainable, efficient, and resilient water treatment for your needs.