A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination

Abstract Hydrate-based desalination (HBD) has emerged as a promising technology among conventional desalination methods due to its low energy consumption, wide operating window with regards to total dissolved solids (TDS), and efficient water recovery. This paper provides an in-depth review of the f...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ali Jalili, Georgios Kolliopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Clean Water
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00484-0
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850222290860507136
author Ali Jalili
Georgios Kolliopoulos
author_facet Ali Jalili
Georgios Kolliopoulos
author_sort Ali Jalili
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hydrate-based desalination (HBD) has emerged as a promising technology among conventional desalination methods due to its low energy consumption, wide operating window with regards to total dissolved solids (TDS), and efficient water recovery. This paper provides an in-depth review of the fundamental properties of hydrates, including thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of their formation. Then, it delves into recent advancements in thermodynamic and kinetic hydrate promoters that aim to address HBD’s main challenge, which is the slow hydrate formation process. Subsequently, the review systematically examines environmental and toxicity concerns associated with chemicals used in HBD, addressing the growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable desalination solutions. Finally, a comparative analysis between HBD and conventional methods highlights its potential as an energy-efficient and selective desalination process poised to enhance sustainability within the water-energy-environment nexus.
format Article
id doaj-art-dc2fcda0645341f69d60fefb7a4d914d
institution OA Journals
issn 2059-7037
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Clean Water
spelling doaj-art-dc2fcda0645341f69d60fefb7a4d914d2025-08-20T02:06:23ZengNature Portfolionpj Clean Water2059-70372025-06-018113410.1038/s41545-025-00484-0A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalinationAli Jalili0Georgios Kolliopoulos1Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, Université LavalDepartment of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, Université LavalAbstract Hydrate-based desalination (HBD) has emerged as a promising technology among conventional desalination methods due to its low energy consumption, wide operating window with regards to total dissolved solids (TDS), and efficient water recovery. This paper provides an in-depth review of the fundamental properties of hydrates, including thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of their formation. Then, it delves into recent advancements in thermodynamic and kinetic hydrate promoters that aim to address HBD’s main challenge, which is the slow hydrate formation process. Subsequently, the review systematically examines environmental and toxicity concerns associated with chemicals used in HBD, addressing the growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable desalination solutions. Finally, a comparative analysis between HBD and conventional methods highlights its potential as an energy-efficient and selective desalination process poised to enhance sustainability within the water-energy-environment nexus.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00484-0
spellingShingle Ali Jalili
Georgios Kolliopoulos
A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
npj Clean Water
title A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
title_full A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
title_fullStr A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
title_full_unstemmed A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
title_short A review of fundamentals, challenges, prospects, and emerging trends in hydrate-based desalination
title_sort review of fundamentals challenges prospects and emerging trends in hydrate based desalination
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00484-0
work_keys_str_mv AT alijalili areviewoffundamentalschallengesprospectsandemergingtrendsinhydratebaseddesalination
AT georgioskolliopoulos areviewoffundamentalschallengesprospectsandemergingtrendsinhydratebaseddesalination
AT alijalili reviewoffundamentalschallengesprospectsandemergingtrendsinhydratebaseddesalination
AT georgioskolliopoulos reviewoffundamentalschallengesprospectsandemergingtrendsinhydratebaseddesalination