On May 11th, 2023, Facilities Management hosted a Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant visit for graduate students from the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) as part of the Environmental Sciences and Engineering course, taught by Prof. NorEddine. A group of 25 students, accompanied by Mr. Ammar Aboalsaud (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering visited the plant. The objective of the visit was to provide students with the oppertunity to immerse themselves in an industrial environment and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
During the visit, the students had the unique opportunity to witness the operation of the plant firsthand, gaining valuable insights into the implementation of reverse osmosis (RO) membrane-based technology for water desalination. They were able to deepen their understanding of the KAUST seawater desalination plant’s process, which utilizes RO membrane technology to produce potable water that meets local (Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization) and international (World Health Organization) drinking water standards.
The SWRO plant, with a capacity of 40,000 m³ per day, plays a crucial role in providing KAUST with high-quality potable water. The visit allowed students to learn about the plant’s design, storage systems, and the extensive distribution network that supplies potable water, irrigation water, and fire water to all end-users in KAUST, via approximately 85 km of pipeline.
Notably, the KAUST Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination Plant employs one of the most advanced and efficient desalination technologies, ensuring sustainability by significantly reducing energy consumption. Looking ahead, KAUST has undertaken the “KAUST Utilities Expansion Project” to increase the plant’s capacity to 50,000 m³ per day, further ensuring water sustainability for the future.
The visit also aimed to familiarize the students with Facilities Management (FM) services, the group had the unique opportunity to witness FM’s operations at the Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination Plant.
This visit provided a comprehensive and engaging experience for the students, allowing them to witness the practical application of their academic knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of water desalination technologies and FM services at KAUST. The resounding achievement of the visit reflects the unwavering dedication of Facilities Management and the Water Desalination and Reuse Center in promoting excellence in environmental sciences and engineering.
