A photo of a SaltMaker evaporator crystallizer at Saltworks HQ

SaltMaker Evaporators & Crystallizers

Modernized evaporators and crystallizers for reliable minimal and zero liquid discharge

Our SaltMaker family of robust modular evaporators and crystallizers can turn almost any saline wastewater into clean water, minimal liquid discharge (MLD) brines or zero liquid discharge (ZLD) solids.

Evaporation & Crystallization Reinvented

Evaporators and crystallizers serve two important roles:

  1. Concentrating and crystallizing valuable input materials to everyday products
  2. Achieving minimal liquid discharge (MLD) from wastewaters, or achieving zero liquid discharge (ZLD)

When conventional membrane concentration options are exhausted, evaporation and crystallization solutions are the natural next step. Our SaltMaker evaporator crystallizers operate on challenging industrial brines without complex pre-treatment thanks to their forced circulation and self-cleaning designs. They are engineered to withstand corrosion, minimize site installation costs, and maximize uptime through robust design and intelligent automation.

 

Whether you seek concentration and minimal liquid discharge (MLD) via an evaporator, or salt crystallization and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) via a crystallizer, there is a SaltMaker suited to your project’s treatment goals.

Photo of a modular SaltMaker plant built into standard ISO frames
Photo of zero liquid discharge solids produced by a SaltMaker

SaltMaker: Meet the Family

Our SaltMaker family provides scalable, flexible solutions that cover all evaporation and crystallization needs, including MLD and ZLD. We offer five versions tailored to specific end-user needs and energy sources. Each version has a fit case. Volatile organic compounds and ammonia that evaporate with water vapor can be effectively managed to ensure high-quality clean water.

SaltMaker Product SaltMaker MultiEffect SaltMaker AirBreather SaltMaker MVR SaltMaker MSF SaltMaker ChilledCrys
Evaporation Process Multiple effect humidification dehumidification (HDH) Single effect humidification (open), with optional dehumidification (HDH) Mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) Multistage flash (MSF) Salts formed by eutectic crystallization. Not an evaporator.
Primary Energy Source Thermal energy ~90°C Thermal energy ~60–90°C Electrical power Thermal energy > 85°C Electrical power
Carrier Gas Humid air Humid air Sub-atmosphere steam (30 kPa) Sub-atmosphere steam (30 kPa) No carrier gas. Cooling a warm brine crystallizes salts.
Solid Salt (ZLD) or Brine Concentrator (MLD) MLD MLD ZLD or MLD ZLD or MLD ZLD or MLD
Atmospheric Air Contact None Optional None None None
VOC Management Post-treatment of distilled water Built-in Post-treatment of distilled water Post-treatment of distilled water Not generally applicable
Use Case Thermal energy >$5/GJ Thermal energy <$5/GJ Electrical power available, lower cost than steam equivalent Low cost steam available Feed fluid has rapid solubility-temperature changes
Notes
  • Multiple effect heat recycle reduces heat quantity consumption.
  • For high quantity thermal sources (co-benefit of plant cooling)
  • Optional open version evaporates water to atmosphere (no liquid water byproduct)
  • Safe volatiles management (no atmospheric contact)
  • High capacity in a small footprint.
  • High capacity in a small footprint.
  • Membrane hybrid crystallizer, which avoids boiling water
  • Highly energy efficient on specific water chemistry

    • * Challenging water chemistry typically means high in organics and/or scaling ions. Saltworks’ other technologies such as XtremeUF and BrineRefine address challenging chemistry upstream of evaporators & crystallizers.

    Robust, Modular & Efficient 

    The SaltMaker evaporator-crystallizer family is engineered to meet diverse needs while integrating safety-by-design. Each system is built to maximize uptime through sound engineering to reduce scale, remove corrosion risk, and self-clean during operation.

     

    Scalability and ease of installation and operation is at the heart of every SaltMaker. All four SaltMaker products are constructed using modular ISO shipping container building blocks and are available in different sizes, with configurable options for your application.

    Photo of a modular SaltMaker evaporator being assembled
    A photo of a SaltMaker AirBreather evaporator effect

    Comprehensive Solutions

    Every brine presents unique challenges, and our engineers are ready to review yours. The best solution may involve a cost-optimized blend of technologies. As a manufacturer of membrane, thermal, and chilled concentrators Saltworks is uniquely positioned to optimize treatment economics for the lowest total cost of ownership.

     

    Contact us for an assessment. Find out what SaltMaker will work best for you and explore upstream membrane concentration options for superior economics.

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    Related Resources

    A photo of a wastewater disposal truck used in brine management
    Article

    How to Manage Brine Disposal & Treatment

    The many options for managing brine, a term for saline wastewater from industrial processes, fall under two categories: brine treatment and brine disposal. Brine treatment involves desalinating the brine for reuse and producing a concentrated brine (lower liquid waste volume), or residual solids (zero liquid discharge).

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