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.

About
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.

Sulphate removal from aqueous solutions: State-of-the-art technologies and future research trends

Year: 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2023.116615

Abstract

Sulphate (SO42−) is a common anion nutrient naturally occurs in water bodies, and considered not toxic when presented in low concentration. However, the presence of large amounts of SO42− induces sour taste in household water and scaling in pipe lines. A concentration of 500 to 750 mg(SO42−)/L causes laxative effect, dehydration, and gastrointestinal irritation in human bodies. Hence, strict limitation was imposed on SO42− discharge, to conform with regulatory bodies standards. Several techniques were developed to eliminate or minimize the SO42− content in wastewater discharges. Generally, chemical precipitation method widely utilized for SO42− mitigation from high SO42− concentration sources particularly mine wastewater. However, the drawback of this process is that the theoretically obtainable minimum sulphate concentration with lime precipitation is 1500 mg/L SO42− at ambient temperature due to high solubility of gypsum. In the present review, the traditional and recently developed sulphate removal techniques are discussed by addressing their merits/drawbacks and potential further improvements. Moreover, novel integrated system which combines one or more advanced techniques in parallel with the established methods are reviewed that could pave the way towards the development of suitable technology. Finally, the life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis are discussed for the various technologies.

Keywords

Sulphate removal Wastewater treatment Environmental sustainability Standards Life cycle assessment Techno-economic assessment

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