Imagine trying to separate mud from water, but the mud is full of pollutants and the water is salty. Instead of using chemicals or massive amounts of heat, this technology uses sound waves and special evaporation to split them perfectly. It turns dirty sludge into clean water and dry powder that can actually be reused.
Dredging produces massive volumes of polluted sediment that are expensive to treat and often banned from ocean disposal. Current treatment methods are too energy-intensive and fail to recover usable materials.
A 10 m3/day pilot plant using Adiabatic Sonic Evaporation and Crystallization (ASEC) to separate water and solids without chemicals.
If you are a Port Authority dealing with the high cost of disposing polluted sediments—this project developed a pilot plant that separates 100% of dredged material into fresh water and solids. This allows you to avoid expensive landfills and meet strict environmental regulations.
If you are a dredging contractor dealing with the ban on open ocean disposal—this project developed a ZLD+ technology that uses less than 20 kWh/m3 of energy. This enables you to offer a circular economy service by valorizing waste instead of just transporting it.
If you are a mining company dealing with contaminated fluid waste—this project developed a system that separates water and solids without chemicals. It produces clean water with EC < 450µS/cm, reducing your waste treatment overhead.
The technology is designed for very low energy consumption, specifically less than 20 kWh/m3.
The project developed and validated a pilot plant with a capacity of 10 m3/day.
Based on available project data, Water Challenge has developed and patented the ASEC technology.
It allows for the treatment of the 20-40% of dredged material that is highly polluted, enabling safe discharge or valorization in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Yes, the system is specifically noted as being able to couple to renewable energy sources.
The project is led by a single Spanish SME, Water Challenge SL. With a 100% industry ratio and no university or research center partners, the project is heavily focused on commercial application and rapid deployment rather than basic research.
Contact Water Challenge SL in Spain regarding ASEC technology licensing.
Contact us to find scaling partners for ZLD dredging technology.
