Brine Valorisation Course
This course prepares you to turn desalination brine into a source of useful products rather than a waste stream. You will study its composition, concentration and crystallisation technologies, zero liquid discharge systems, the recovery of salts, magnesium and other minerals, and the criteria for judging the viability of circular economy projects at desalination plants.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Brine Valorisation Course?
This short course prepares you to treat the brine produced by desalination as a resource rather than a waste. You will learn how its composition varies with the source water and the desalination process, how high-pressure reverse osmosis, membrane distillation, mechanical evaporation and electrodialysis concentrate it, how fractional crystallisation recovers sodium chloride, sulphates and other salts, how magnesium, bromine and other elements can be extracted, and how zero and minimal liquid discharge schemes are designed and assessed.
What sets this course apart: a circular economy approach applied to desalination; a clear grasp of the key technologies of concentration, crystallisation and selective separation; a realistic view of the costs, energy demand and maturity of each option; an agile format of five application-focused modules; and a practical case in which you draw up a valorisation proposal for a desalination plant.
Programme highlights
- From waste to resource: a circular economy approach applied to desalination.
- Key technologies: concentration, crystallisation and selective separation.
- Realistic view: costs, energy demand and maturity of each alternative.
- Zero liquid discharge: design of zero and minimal discharge schemes.
- Mineral recovery: salts, magnesium, bromine and emerging extraction methods.
- Practical case: a valorisation proposal for a desalination plant.
Syllabus of the Brine Valorisation Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Brine as a resource
- 1.1. Origin and volume of brines
- 1.2. Composition according to the desalination process
- 1.3. Impacts of conventional discharge
- 1.4. Circular economy in desalination
- 1.5. Potential products from brine
Brine concentration
- 2.1. High-pressure reverse osmosis
- 2.2. Membrane distillation
- 2.3. Mechanical evaporation
- 2.4. Electrodialysis for concentration
- 2.5. Energy consumption of concentration
Crystallisation and salt recovery
- 3.1. Fundamentals of crystallisation
- 3.2. Fractional crystallisation
- 3.3. Sodium chloride recovery
- 3.4. Sulphates and other salts
- 3.5. Product quality
Mineral recovery and zero discharge
- 4.1. Magnesium recovery
- 4.2. Recovery of bromine and other elements
- 4.3. Emerging extraction technologies
- 4.4. Zero liquid discharge schemes
- 4.5. Minimal liquid discharge
Viability and project
- 5.1. Capital and operating costs
- 5.2. Market for recovered products
- 5.3. Environmental and regulatory aspects
- 5.4. Integration with the desalination plant
- 5.5. Practical case: valorisation proposal for a desalination plant
Duration and format of the Brine Valorisation Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Brine Valorisation Course
Career opportunities after the Brine Valorisation Course
Questions about the Brine Valorisation Course
It depends on the brine composition, the cost of energy and the market for the products; the course teaches you to assess it case by case.
A treatment scheme that recovers practically all the water and leaves the solids as a product or as dry waste.
Yes, as an emerging technology within mineral recovery.
It helps, but the course introduces the basic concepts you need.
You propose a valorisation scheme for the brine of a desalination plant, covering products, technologies and viability.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enrol.
More programmes in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at chemical, industrial and environmental engineers, desalination plant technicians, industrial water treatment professionals, circular economy consultants and public administration staff who manage discharge permits; prior studies in engineering or science, or professional experience in desalination or water treatment, are recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.