Qeeri, EMRQ to assess reuse of waste water

Qeeri collaborates with ExxonMobil Research Qatar to assess reuse of waste water from gas fields.

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has executed an agreement with ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) to evaluate the beneficial reuse of treated produced water (TPW) from gas fields. A feasibility assessment agreement recently signed by Dr Marc Vermeersch, Qeeri executive director with EMRQ, paves the way for collaborative projects to determine avenues, including technologies and materials for treatment, to enable the reuse of TPW for various landscaping, agricultural, and municipal purposes. The agreement outlines three major areas of collaboration: the analysis of technologies for produced water treatment; the evaluation of water quality parameters; and the removal of primary pollutants from treated produced water. The entities will develop technologies and materials for the efficient removal of toxic organic pollutants and heavy metals from treated produced water and explore the potential for their commercialisation. Dr Vermeersch, said: “I am delighted that Qeeri is partnering with ExxonMobil Research Qatar to execute this project. Their decades of experience add tremendous value, and bringing together our expertise and resources will go a long way in ensuring Qatar’s water sustainability objectives are met. Sustainable water treatment and the enhancement of wastewater reuse is a national priority and also at the core of operations at Qeeri’s Water Centre. Working with ExxonMobil, we will test and build upon the innovative technologies being developed in-house at Qeeri to address this pressing issue to formulate solutions.” Along with potentially solving a long-standing problem facing the hydrocarbon industry, by addressing the environmental and economic constraints of traditional PW disposal practices, the outcomes of the agreement are set to help Qatar diversify its water sources. It will ultimately help the country reduce the high cost of investing in producing fresh water. Dr Jenny Lawler, senior research director of the Water Centre at Qeeri, noted: “Non-conventional water resources such as that available from industrial activities in Qatar are critical for enhancing water security for arid regions, and we are delighted to be able to work with EMRQ on this exciting initiative.” Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Ana Laplaza, EMRQ’s research director, said: “Our team of scientists and researchers is looking forward to continuing their work in sustainability-related research through this significant project, which will have valuable outcomes for Qatar and its people.” Dr Suhur Saeed, programme research lead for Water Reuse at EMRQ added: “We look forward to continuing our collaboration and friendship as we develop our technology towards helping to achieve solutions to environmental challenges for Qatar.”