WTIIRA’s Research Team concludes its cooperative tour of Chinese institutes and factories and participates in the Belt and Road Forum to promote sustainable blue economy
A team from the Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancements (WTIIRA) completed an extensive tour during which it visited esteemed and prestigious Chinese universities, research institutes and companies, in line with its keenness to expand the research mobility and enhance cooperation and joint work in the desalination industry. The tour started from the Chinese Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), with a view to cooperate in the development of advanced nanomembranes for brine applications. The team reviewed ISDMU’s capacities including the laboratories and experimental plants. The team further stressed on strengthening the research relationship with the Chinese side in the desalination industry research. In addition, the team visited the largest algae farm using brine and CO2 as nutrient sources in algae growth. The two parties also discussed the promising opportunities for producing proteins and fats to achieve innovation in the desalination industry and raise quality and efficiency in the production processes.
In continuation of WTIIRA’s tour in China, the research team visited China National Salt Industry Corporation (CNSIC) specializing in biofuel production by growing and cultivating algae. The successful experiences of the Company with regard to use of CO2 and brine in growing and cultivating algae to produce biomass were reviewed. The trip included a visit to the Research Center for Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which has the national support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The visit is intended to seek mutual cooperation on the reuse and improvement of RO membranes in order to achieve higher efficiency in the desalination industry and increase the production capacity.
The team concluded the Chinese tour by accepting an invitation from the Ministry of Natural Resources to participate in the Belt and Road Forum amid the presence of the Chinese Vice Minister and ministers of several countries. Eng. Ali Al Sahari participated in a discussion panel on "Promoting Sustainable Blue Economy" through which he reviewed the remarkable efforts and effective participations of the Saline Water Desalination Corporation in the desalination industry and highlighted the most important innovative projects contributing to facing global challenges to ensure cost-effective water and environmental sustainability.