SaltMaker AirBreather

Air emissions-safe, 1-effect, open thermal evaporator crystallizer

Conventional open-to-atmosphere evaporators release water vapor, which may include volatile organics and tiny droplets of saline drift. Make sure your process is regulation compliant, safe, and future-proof with Saltworks’ SaltMaker AirBreather, the first open-to-atmosphere evaporator-crystallizer with patented technology to guarantee low emissions.

Environmentally Sound Engineering

It may not always be possible to process the freshwater generated by condensers and sometimes vapor release is preferable. When exploring open evaporation options, operators must consider air emission regulations and investment in future-proofing. Most open evaporators release volatiles from feed water and some small saline drift droplets.

 

Saltworks’ SaltMaker AirBreather is designed with clean air, clean water, and treatment economics at its core. With our patented, proven, and proprietary solutions, you can safely evaporate water vapor to the atmosphere. AirBreather: 

 

  • is built with expertly chosen corrosion-proof materials to prevent scaling and corrosion
  • uses intelligent automation to maximize performance, including capacity control, self-cleaning, and self-diagnosis.
  • ensures air emission standards are met with either a ‘closed-from-atmosphere’ mode or an “open” mode with emissions mitigation technology.
Photo of a full-scale SaltMaker AirBreather plant built for a battery manufacturer.
A full-scale SaltMaker AirBreather plant built for a battery manufacturer.
Process flow diagram of a SaltMaker Airbreather evaporator
Process flow diagram of a SaltMaker Airbreather evaporator

A Novel Design for Clean Air

An open evaporator is a significant capital investment. If considering one, you should understand the impacts of vapor plume volatile organic carbons (VOCs) and particulate on air emissions, as well as risks associated with regulations or stakeholder objections.

 

  • AirBreather is configurable so that the evaporator section operates closed-to-atmosphere with zero contact of saline water with atmospheric air.
  • No tall vapor plume from a stack—AirBreather vapor is visible only as a small fog patch on cold mornings.
  • Proven as the first and only technology to receive a full-scale permit in a challenging jurisdiction where six prior open-to-atmosphere pilots failed to meet VOC and/or particulate emission requirements.

Optional Configuration & Waste Heat

 

SaltMaker AirBreather can be configured for optional freshwater return or guaranteed clean water vapor release. These methods are only disclosed to clients. 

 

It operates more efficiently at lower temperatures compared to many traditional evaporation technologies, allowing the efficient reuse of lower-grade waste heat than previously possible.

 

However, it requires four times more thermal energy than the SaltMaker MultiEffect, therefore, it may be more suitable for projects where low-grade, low-cost heat is available. 

Photo of a SaltMaker Airbreather contained within an ISO container
A SaltMaker AirBreather pilot unit contained within an ISO-container
Photo of a full-scale SaltMaker AirBreather evaporator module
A full-scale SaltMaker AirBreather evaporator module

Modularity & Rapid Deployment

  • Modular design enables simple shipping and rapid onsite assembly.
  • Plant modules can be added to expand capacity to suit your project needs.
  • Modules slide in and out for easy inspection and maintenance.

Contact us to get started on your project.

Related Resources

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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).