NEW SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REMEDIATION OF BRINE DISCHARGES

In order to meet the rising water demand required by an expanding population, which has already crossed the 7 billion markand is expected to reach 8,5 billion by 2030, and 9,7 billion in 2050 , desalination of seawater is envisaged as a solution toprovide a portion of the shortfall to fill the gap between supply and demand. Desalination becomes in many parts of theworld, and also in Europe, a promising option to combat water stress. Nonetheless, desalination plants generate hugevolumes of concentrates, also known as brines, which represent a potential hazard for marine ecosystems. Brines form avery dense hypersaline plume (heavier than normal seawater) that spreads over large areas affecting marine ecosystems,especially to seagrass meadows which are one of the most ecologically important ecosystems in coastal areas. ECOS hasdeveloped VENTURI+ a diffuser solution, with a capacity of minimizing in a 99% the environmental impact associated tobrines discharges due to a potential dilution capacity 131% higher than conventional diffusers. Thus, VENTURI+ representsa technological leap towards tackling one of the most robust environmental barriers that are holding the full deployment ofdesalination plants.ECOS requests funding to elaborate a feasibility study to define market uptake at National, European and International level.The most important markets identified are the Mediterranean region (EU and non-EU countries), the Middle East, the USand other countries such as India and China.

• Listing ID: 4152
• Project Region: Canary Islands
• Participants within MAC area:  
  COORDINATOR. ECOS, ESTUDIOS AMBIENTALES Y OCEANOGRAFIA SL: 71,429.00€
• Start date: 01/06/2017
• End Date: 30/11/2017
• Priority: Circular Economy & Biosustainability
• Programme: H2020
• Cordis Link: http://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/774219