We are working on a challenging and incredibly exciting vision: Bringing reliable sustainable pure water to a thirsty world!
Desolenator is a rapidly growing startup that is revolutionizing the desalination industry with its patented solar thermal technology. As a company dedicated to
delivering net-zero water at scale, Desolenator’s desalination approach is modular and containerized, making it ideal for deployment in remote locations. By harnessing both solar-generated electricity and heat, Desolenator aims to provide communities and businesses with fresh water that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
An internship role provides practical R&D experience in a young and dynamic environment for students following an engineering degree at University level and will be fixed to a period of 3-6 months. You will be based at our lab in Maastricht, to gain first hand working experience in an R&D lab.
Research Topics for Internships 2025
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) INTEGRATION WITH Desolenator’s SP40Modular MED-MVC System: TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Integrating ZLD technology with Desolenator’scurrent SP40 Modular MED-MVC Desalination System enhances the sustainability ofDesolenator’s operations by eliminating waste discharge, while also increasingfreshwater production, and potentially generating valuable by-products, such assalts. Through this research, Desolenator aims to make significant progresstoward addressing global water scarcity while contributing to a moresustainable future for the desalination industry.
The objective of this research project isto conduct a detailed techno-economic assessment of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)technologies and evaluate their potential integration with Desolenator's SP40Modular Multi-Effect Distillation-Mechanical Vapour Compression (MED-MVC) Desalinationsystem. The project will involve reviewing existing ZLD technologies, comparingthem via an analysis of various technical and economic factors, and conceptualisingan optimal process flow for integrating the selected ZLD technologies with Desolenator’sSP40 system. The following main tasks will be included in the project:
o Conduct a review of completed internal research on ZLD technologies.
o Perform an extensive literature review on ZLD technologies used in industry and that are newly emerging (brine crystallization, forward osmosis, electrodialysis, etc.).
o Identify existing ZLD systems that are on the market that can be coupled with SP40 system.
o Create a comparison table referencing metrics such as cost, specifications and other key performance parameters.
o Assess and shortlist suitable ZLD technologies based on technical and economic compatibility with the SP40 system.
o Conduct a detailed techno-economic comparison of shortlisted technologies, analysing performance, cost, and sustainability metrics.
o Select the most promising technologies for integration solution.
o Develop a conceptual process flow diagram (PFD) of the selected ZLD technologies integrated with the SP40 system.
o Perform preliminary material and energy balance calculations to estimate operational requirements.
o Conduct a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for the integrated system, including capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) assessments.
o Identify any required modifications to the SP40 base case to allow for seamless integration with the selected ZLD solution.
Expected Outcomes:
Comprehensive literature review and market study of ZLD technologies which collated into a comparison table with relevant metrics such as cost, specifications and other key performance parameters.
Detailed techno-economic evaluation report of shortlisted technologies, including key performance metrics such as water recovery rate, energy requirement and efficiency, and cost implications.
Conceptual process flow diagram for the proposed ZLD-SP40 integrated system.
Recommendations on the modifications required for integrated ZLD with Desolenator’s SP40, and a suggested roadmap of work on how to achieve full-scale integration.
What we are looking for
Student in the following courses: MS or BS in various Engineering specialties, such as chemical, process engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering
Process Simulation and Modelling: Experience with process simulation software such as Aspen Plus or UniSim for conducting detailed design. Should be comfortable with energy and material balance calculations.
Technical Design Proficiency: Ability to develop and interpret Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
Research and Evaluation: Experience in conducting literature reviews and technical comparisonsSpecific software skills depending on the topic selected and some previous internship experience
A team player who enjoys company and working within a fun and energetic free-thinking team
What you can expect from us:
We are a small team working on an innovation that we believe will bring water to a thirsty world and change the outlook for those most in need. As part of this exciting project, we promise that you will get to:
- Enjoy a mission-driven and enthusiastic work culture with lots of freedom in the way you organize your work.
- Combine state-of-the art engineering with the potential to change the world.
- The opportunity to learn from and interact with our talented team.
- Work in the beautiful, historical and multi-cultural city of Maastricht.
Apply with an email incluing your CV and Cover Letter directly to judith@desolenator.com
