DESAL RESEARCH GROUP

Sustainable technologies for a water-secure future

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KEY VALUES

Committed to excellence

We aim to be at the forefront of global efforts to contribute to a water-secure future. We envision a world where sustainable desalination technologies and water treatment solutions are pivotal in providing clean and safe water to communities and fostering economic growth. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, we aspire to set new standards for excellence in the field, leaving a long-lasting effect on the well-being of societies and the health of our planet.

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DESAL team at the lab
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

Driven by innovation, recognized by impact

The DESAL Research Group pioneers advancements in desalination and wastewater treatment, prioritizing excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Our focus on cutting-edge research and efficiency aims to address global water challenges and support sustainable development goals.

NEWS & UPDATES 

Discover the latest breakthroughs from our team

15 February, 2026

DESAL summer intern Imran Alturkistani wins national awards at Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair

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02 February, 2026

New DESAL research published in Nature Communications advances energy-efficient desalination

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28 January, 2026

DESAL and ACWA Power advance AI-based research for early membrane fouling detection

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ADVANCING SCIENCE

Scientific Contributions

Through research papers, patents, and PhD dissertations, we push the boundaries of knowledge, driving innovation in desalination and water treatment.

Double Filament Feed Spacers for Enhanced Performance in Reverse Osmosis Modules

by Najat A Amin, Adnan Qamar, Henry J. Tanudjaja, Sarah Kerdi, Ho Kyong Shon, Noreddine Ghaffour
Year: 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124696

Abstract

Optimizing feed spacer geometry can significantly improve the efficiency of reverse osmosis (RO) modules through enhanced hydrodynamics. In this study, a novel symmetrical spacer is developed to mitigate concentration polarization and enhance RO performance. The proposed double filament spacer design features double elliptical or circular filaments separated by a slit along their length, connected by column-type nodes. Flow simulations, a type of computational fluid dynamics simulation in which the Navier-Stokes equations are numerically solved without relying on turbulence models, provided a fundamental analysis of double filament spacer performance. These reveal an even velocity distribution and increased flow mixing induced by the double filament, regardless of the cross-section type. Moreover, additional vortices were promoted downstream of the double filament spacer nodes, producing a jetting effect. This phenomenon helped to reduce the polarization region on the membrane surface and improve the permeation potential, as confirmed by salt concentration and permeation velocity computations. Although both double filament spacers outperformed the commercial design, the circular double filament spacer exhibited higher permeation and lower salt deposition capabilities than the elliptical-shaped filaments. Furthermore, the practical effectiveness of a double filament spacer was experimentally assessed in the RO system. Both spacers showed the potential to enhance flux production and specific flux relative to commercial design, with an enhancement reaching 68 % in the case of the circular double filament spacer. Utilizing this spacer also demonstrated a substantial reduction in pressure drop by 35 %. Therefore, the novel double filament spacer design, particularly the circular filament type, appears well-suited for achieving highly efficient and low-energy performance in RO module elements.

Keywords

Membrane filtration 3D-printed spacer Concentration polarization direct numerical simulations Energy Consumption Reverse osmosis (RO)

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