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How We Advise Our Clients 

Saline Waste Characterisation

​Characterisation of saline waste necessitates well-defined sampling protocols to avoid contamination and ensure sample representativeness for validation of the analytical results obtained using recognised analytical methods. Drawing from over 35 years of industry experience of Dr. Arakel, the Company has assembled a comprehensive set of sampling, laboratory analytical methods, and monitoring, verification reporting (MVR) protocols, that form a core component of our QA/QC system. Further, Pact Renewables employs a proprietary predictive brine quality projection model that enables a better understanding the impacts of changing diurnal and seasonal climatic parameters and water mixing conditions on saline wastes. This model has been rigorously calibrated and validated using samples collected from various dynamic hydrological basins and industrial operations around the globe and applies nearly to all possible inorganic saline waste streams generated in various industries under prevailing climatic and operating conditions.

Definition of Impacts and Management Options

Pact Renewables has in collaboration with expert environmental impact assessors performed numerous reviews of saline waste impacts on terrestrial, groundwater, and coastal ecosystems, and uses the generated data and knowledge for timely- and cost-effective tracking of impact pathways of saline waste on discharge areas. Using this approach, along with our expertise and datasets, we are uniquely positioned to avoid the use of default values and information, reducing the unnecessary and costly management needs. Further, the saline waste management options that we offer are all based on consideration of the best-fit application of an integrated approach including saline waste treatment, recovery of valuable products and removal of toxic elements from saline impoundments or leachates from washing of fly ash, APCr and other dust generating processes. Equally important, by applying our state-of-the-art technology platform, apart from its sustainability advantages, our saline waste management solutions commonly offer significant cost offset components through the incorporation of one or more processing steps for freshwater recovery, generation and sale of commercial-grade mineral and metal products, safe disposal of toxic and heavy metals, or combinations thereof that we identify during the course of our assignment.

Treatment Technology Feasibility Assessments

These assessments are carried out by a two-way engagement process with our clients to ensure that their requirements and project information are fully understood and communicated before commencement. Our feasibility assessment of the technology-based solutions involves three main components, namely (a) information collection and screening, (b) description of proposed treatment system option(s) and conceptual design, and (c) cost-benefit analysis of the selected treatment system options and their comparison using a combination of techno-economic and lifecycle assessments. The feasibility assessments are commonly carried out according to the following two steps, for increasing the accuracy level of the outputs from our projects:

 

(a) Desktop scoping/pre-feasibility study incorporating definition of benchmark values, jurisdictional guidelines for toxic or hazardous waste removal, carbon offsetting options, preliminary specifications, a high-level cost-benefit analysis using potential return from the sale of products generated from effluent treatment, and reporting of the findings from preliminary techno-economic and lifecycle cost evaluations.

 

(b) Verification of technology-based solutions incorporating the following key components:

  • Laboratory-based process and products trials, compilation of resource and product inventories, preliminary products market demand, pricing and risk analysis 

  • Indicative carbon offset values, where applicable 

  • Reporting of the findings from technology verification assessments against client’s requirements, which may additionally include the preparation of a treatment system design and costing package and recommendations for follow up field piloting/demonstration of the selected treatment system and for validation of product streams. 

Support Services

As part of our saline waste consulting services, aside from desktop feasibility assessments and delivery of treatment system design and costing packages for clients’ technology piloting and demonstration, we also offer preliminary process/products validation trials by undertaking benchtop and test rig-scale trials using the R&D facility located at our premises. We also prepare operation manuals and quality system documentation for piloting and technology demonstration projects and participate in process/products audit trials, if required by our clients. 

Expert Advice on Resource Recovery Options 

We provided expert advice on manufacture/production of value-added products (using our technologies) currently commanding high market demand in the following industry sectors: 

 

Agriculture and forestry

  • Plastic-free soil degradable seedling pots for agriculture, forestry and agrivoltaic industries  

  • Planter sleeves and soil conditioners for vertical green gardens  

  • Variable-solubility sulphate of potash fertilisers

 

Construction​

  • Self-healing geopolymers for water proofing and salt damp removal 

  • Geopolymers for coastal construction and artificial reef construction

  • Mineral-based additives for 3D printing of corals and building components 

 

Energy​

  • High purity NaCl salt for use in sodium-ion batteries

  • High purity magnesium feedstock materials from reject brine of seawater desalination plant for using in production of hydrides for safe storage and transport of green hydrogen

  • Critical minerals from oil/gas field produced waters and salt lake brines 

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Waste Management

  • Fast setting and curing media for solidification and encapsulation of various hazardous waste streams (including residuals from incineration of PFAS containing materials, surgical waste, asbestos and ash residue from waste-to-energy processes) for safe landfilling  

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Further information on the above services can be obtained by contacting Aharon Arakel at aharon.arakel@pactrenewables.com​​​

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