Wastewater research often focuses on dilute streams that do not reflect real industrial conditions. To address this, our team developed a lab-scale process using industrial wastewater from SIRC, successfully demonstrated in Q1 2025 (Phase 1/3).

Building on these results, a 1 TPD pilot plant has been designed for Phases 2 and 3. With support from Shekhar Kulkarni, lead of the uODS project, who has experience in process engineering and pilot-scale research, the water team was able to size equipment and devise safety precautions,  such as incorporating appropriate sensors/level indicators in this rig. The team scaled the process to a pilot rig, incorporating key safety features and process controls.

The rig will be commissioned at KAUST in June, followed by testing at Reviva's Yanbu site (Saudi Investment Recycling Company, SIRC). Reviva is 1 of 16 waste sectors, focusing specifically on the water treatment area for SIRC. For Team Roberts, this marks the fourth technology translated to the demonstration stage, following CCC, uODS, and CirCoLi.

Powered by acoustic cavitation, the system aims to treat industrial effluents more efficiently while reducing chemical and energy use.