Climate-Aligned Desalination

Building a Sustainable, Affordable Desalination Model For a Greener Future in the US

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The US Water Crisis

By late 2024, an unprecedented drought affected nearly every U.S. state, impacting over **150 million people** and **318 million acres of crops**. This crisis, intensified by saltwater intrusion in rivers like the Delaware, threatens the drinking water for nearly 14 million people and makes desalination a critical solution.

U.S. Drought Monitor Categories (2000-2025)

Graph showing U.S. drought monitor categories over time

Growth of Reverse Osmosis

The seawater desalination membrane market is projected to exceed **$5 billion by 2028**, driven by increasing water scarcity. While Reverse Osmosis (RO) holds the largest market share due to its established technology and high efficiency, energy consumption and the environmental disposal of brine remain significant concerns.

Seawater Desalination Membrane Growth (%)

Bar chart showing the growth of seawater desalination membranes from 2025 to 2033

Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) of Current Desalination Methods

The high energy consumption of traditional desalination methods is a major roadblock. Energy requirements for reverse osmosis vary with feedwater salinity—higher salinity levels demand more pumping power. The global average SEC for desalination by RO is **5.5 kWh/m³**.

Line graph showing energy consumption of desalination methods based on water salinity

Current Desalination Issues & MediSun's Solutions

Our technology provides comprehensive solutions to the industry's biggest problems, from high energy intensity to the environmental impact of brine disposal.

  • **Brine Disposal:** Discharges of concentrated brine affect local marine environments, causing salinity changes and disruptions to marine biodiversity.
  • **High Costs:** High energy intensity and the cost of managing brine waste make desalinated water less affordable, particularly for large-scale use.
  • **Energy Intensity:** High energy consumption leads to increased operational costs and a larger carbon footprint.
  • **Environmental Impact:** Chemical pollution and potential damage to aquatic ecosystems from intake systems raise additional environmental concerns.
Venn diagram showing MediSun's solutions to current issues.

Achieve up to a **30% reduction** in Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) and Transform Brine into Valuable Resources.

Our Solution: WEGen RED Technology

The WEGen RED technology is a proprietary renewable energy device that addresses energy consumption and carbon emissions head-on. It leverages Reverse Electrodialysis (R.E.D) to turn saltwater into clean energy.

30% Energy Savings

Our process reduces the energy consumption from a baseline of **3.5 kWh/m³** to an average of **2.45 kWh/m³**.

Zero Brine Discharge

Our system eliminates liquid waste, ensuring full brine treatment for resource recovery.

Net Zero Carbon Emission

Our process offsets **3.1 kg of CO₂** for every tonne of brine water processed, supporting a sustainable, circular economy.

Retrofit Compatibility

The WEGen technology seamlessly integrates with existing Reverse Osmosis systems for easy adoption and scale.

Desalination's Brine Problem

Desalination plants discharge **142 million tons of brine daily**, harming marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, there is a high demand for magnesium, of which **85%** of the world's supply comes from China, posing significant supply chain risks. MediSun's technology solves both problems.

World map with China highlighted as the world's largest producer of magnesium

Magnesium is a critical mineral for industries like aluminum, steel, and pharmaceuticals, but its supply is highly concentrated.

Turning Waste into Value

By recovering critical minerals from waste streams, our **WEGen Green** technology transforms high-concentration brine and CO₂ into valuable magnesium compounds. This process not only eliminates toxic waste but also offers a sustainable pathway to decarbonization and resource recovery.

Table showing the ion contents of raw RO brine, supernatant, and precipitated minerals

For every cubic meter of brine processed, MediSun extracts **8-15 kg of MgCO₃**, turning waste into a valuable resource.

The WEGen Green Technology

WEGen Green transforms brine from a desalination plant into a resource, extracting magnesium and capturing CO₂, redefining Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) with sustainable innovation.

Flow chart of the WEGen Green process showing Mg(OH)2 formation and mineralization

Process Performance

Our pilot project in Gwang Yang, Korea demonstrates the effectiveness of our process with impressive performance metrics, showcasing its viability for large-scale applications.

Key Performance Metrics

  • CO₂ Mineralization Conversion Rate: **97%**
  • Magnesium Recovery Rate: **95%**
  • Magnesium Carbonate Purity: **95%**
  • Magnesium Carbonate Production: **80 tons/year**
  • CO₂ Treatment Volume: **30 tons/year**

Complete Circular Economy Impact

Nothing goes to waste. MediSun's integrated system turns salty wastewater (brine) into clean water, electricity, and valuable minerals—all from one process. The salinity of the final discharge is returned to normal seawater levels without the need for additional mixing.

Flow diagram of MediSun's complete circular economy

Partner with MediSun

Created by the Ocean, Deciphered by Science. Join us in building a sustainable future. Contact us to learn how our technology can provide a climate-aligned desalination solution for your community.

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