Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL), the Seeker for this Challenge, seeks an energy-efficient method to enhance production of potash from hypersaline brine solutions. The method must remove water in a recoverable way from the solution so that the water may be returned to the source of the brine.
The Dead Sea Works, operated by the Seeker, ICL, extracts brine from the Dead Sea for production of salt, potash, and other important minerals primarily through evaporation processes. Residual hypersaline streams, known as F-streams, are produced as a result of these processes. The F-streams are high in potash content but extraction of a large portion of the potash is difficult and current methods are estimated to recover just 50% of the available potash. ICL is seeking an innovative, energy-efficient method that increases potash recovery by removing water from the F-streams without losing the water so that it may be returned to the Dead Sea in order to keep the water balance of the Dead Sea steady.
The submission to the Challenge should include the following:
- The detailed description of the proposed Solution addressing specific Technical Requirements presented in the Detailed Description of the Challenge. This description should be accompanied by a well-articulated rationale supported by literature/patent precedents.
- Experimental proof-of-concept data obtained as outlined in the Detailed Description of the Challenge.
The Challenge award is contingent upon theoretical evaluation and experimental validation of the submitted solutions by the Seeker.
To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer their exclusive IP rights to the Seeker. Instead, Solvers will grant to the Seeker a non-exclusive license to practice their solutions.
Awards:- $40,000
Deadline:- 04-01-2022
