What is Precision Forward Osmosis?
Precision Forward Osmosis (FO) is not just another desalination method—it’s a game-changer in wastewater reuse. Trevi Systems has taken the desalination tech that once powered off-grid seawater solutions and flipped the script. Instead of just tackling salty seawater, their patented FO technology dives deep into inland brackish and wastewater purification. Because, let’s face it, desalinating seawater alone won’t fix inland water scarcity or the growing problem of wastewater pollution. This innovative approach is about turning tough, challenging wastewaters into valuable resources, making water reuse smarter and more sustainable.
Main Benefits of Trevi’s Forward Osmosis Technology
Here’s why Trevi’s FO tech stands out:
- Green Draw Solution Chemistry: Proprietary draw solutions that handle even the most challenging wastewaters with ease.
- Lower Energy & Sustainable Design: Operates under low pressure (<60 psi), cutting down on the need for costly stainless steel piping and high-pressure vessels.
- Higher Recovery Rates: Treats high salinity wastewaters with minimal fouling thanks to lower external pressures.
- Cost-Effective Water Production: Less energy, simpler equipment, and the ability to use low-grade waste heat all add up to a lower overall cost of water.
- Versatile Energy Sources: Systems can be powered by PV, geothermal, or gas turbine waste heat, making them adaptable to various settings.
Exploring Forward Osmosis and Pressurized Forward Osmosis
Forward Osmosis uses a unique, retrograde thermolytic solute draw solution with high osmotic pressure to pull salt out of high concentration saline water. This means it requires less energy compared to traditional methods. Then there’s Pressurized Forward Osmosis (PFO), which blends FO and reverse osmosis principles. It uses a less concentrated draw solution and applies external pressure to push clean water through the membrane. This hybrid approach is especially effective for concentrating brine and treating highly saline waters.
Applications Across Industries
Trevi’s FO and PFO technologies aren’t one-trick ponies. They’re designed for a range of applications:
- Renewable Desalination: Works great with concentrated solar power to desalinate seawater, brackish groundwater, or produced water.
- Co-generation Desalination: Perfect for using waste heat from power plants or other facilities to drive desalination.
- Brine Concentration: PFO technology excels at treating high salinity waters to concentrate brine further.
- Zero or Minimal Liquid Discharge (ZLD & MLD): Combining FO and PFO enables systems that drastically reduce or eliminate liquid waste discharge.
- Resource Recovery: High recovery rates make it ideal for extracting valuable minerals like lithium, nickel, and magnesium from brines.
- Technology Consulting: Trevi also offers expert advice on renewable desalination, brine concentration, ZLD, and resource recovery.
Brine Technology and Resource Recovery
Brine is often the villain in seawater desalination stories—it’s a major barrier to widespread adoption and a headache for industrial permitting. But Trevi flips the narrative by offering unique brine solutions that reduce environmental impact through concentration, recycling, and reuse. Depending on the source, brine can be a treasure trove of precious materials like lithium, nickel, salt, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. With the right extraction and treatment, these aren’t just waste—they’re valuable commodities waiting to be tapped.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Enhancing water reuse and purification.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Utilizing low-energy processes and renewable energy sources.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Pioneering advanced membrane technologies.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting resource recovery and waste minimization.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing energy consumption and supporting sustainable water management.
The Future of Water Treatment and Circularity
Trevi’s vision goes beyond just cleaning water—it’s about creating a circular water future. They understand that the water taken from the ground is just as important as the water returned. By deploying energy-efficient purification and mineral recovery solutions, they help industries and communities drought-proof their water supplies. Whether it’s replenishing aquifers, sequestering carbon through recovered minerals, or managing produced water, Trevi finds solutions for the dirtiest water challenges. Their upcoming large-scale FO installation in the Arabian Gulf is set to be the biggest in the world, marking a major milestone in sustainable water technology.
