Degrémont chooses Dow filtration membranes for UAE desalination project

France-based water treatment specialist Degrémont has selected Dow Water and Process Solutions for supplying advanced membrane solutions to an energy-efficient desalination project in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Degrémont, a subsidiary of French utility Suez Environment specialises in desalination plant construction using reverse osmosis technology, and is developing the plant in partnership with UAE’s power and technology firm Masdar.

Expected to be completed in 18 months, the project scope includes design, implementation, and maintenance of the pilot desalination unit.

Degrémont will use energy-efficient ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes from Dow for the project.

The full-scale facility is expected to be in operation by 2020 and will use Filmtec Seamaxx technology which claimed to reduce energy consumption by 10% during desalination process and Dow Filmtec Eco elements which can reduce energy use by 30%.

Dow Water and Process Solutions MEA regional commercial manager Zakia Bahjou said: "Membrane technologies, like those found in Dow ultrafiltration and Dow Filmtec reverse osmosis elements, are far more energy efficient than the thermal processes currently used in most of the desalination plants throughout the UAE.

"Dow is committed to bringing the latest water desalination technologies to the UAE, and is excited to be partnering with companies such as Masdar and Degrémont to bring this project to life."

The desalination project is a pilot attempt under a programme launched by Masdar for testing and developing new technologies for seawater desalination, to be supported by renewable energy.