Solar Salt “Planning, Design, Development, Operations & Management”

Solar salt works are facilities that harness solar energy to produce salt from saline water.

GGC provides consulting and natural resource assessment services to support the development of natural resource industries especially salt works in the Gulf countries and the Middle East region. GGC provides wide range of services including the saltworks design, operation, management, environmental assessment, sodium chloride production by using solar energy using Gulf water or desalination reject as a natural source , natural mineral fertilizers, industrial, edible, pharmaceutical grade common salt products.

GGC provides a full range of geophysical, -chemical and -physical process services & Consultancies to salt production clients from raw material exploration to production management. GGC advisors can turn many raw materials into valuable products for the chemical, raw-material-processing, fertilizer industries, and more using state-of-the-art process technology. Our professional team design salt pans in a way that can produce all possible valuable products at the required quality, in highest possible quantities and at the lowest possible production cost.

Technologies Enhancing Solar Salt Works

Modern technological advancements have augmented the efficiency and effectiveness of solar salt works. Some of these include:

1. Automated Water Control Systems: These systems ensure optimal water flow into and out of the salterns. They use sensors to monitor salinity levels and water depth, adjusting gates and pumps accordingly to maximize salt production while minimizing labor costs.
2. High-Efficiency Solar Evaporation Ponds: Engineered liners and better materials improve the evaporation rate by reducing seepage and increasing the heat retention.
3. Crystallization Technologies: Advanced crystallizer equipment has enabled producers to achieve more uniform crystal sizes, which is important for commercial salt grading by improving the quality and value of the final product.
4. Salt Harvesting Machinery: Harvesting equipment has been developed to perform the task of collecting the dried salt from the pans more effectively while reducing the manpower required.
5. Environmental Monitoring Platforms: Satellite imagery and aerial drones are used to monitor the environmental impact of the solar salt works. These tools can help to ensure that operations do not negatively affect local wildlife, especially in sensitive coastal areas.
6. Renewable Energy Integration: Some solar salt works incorporate solar panels or wind turbines to supply clean energy for the operation of pumps and other machinery, creating a more sustainable production cycle.

The Sustainable Impact

Solar salt works are a prime example of a low-impact and sustainable method of mineral extraction. By utilizing renewable energy sources like the sun and wind, these operations leave a minimal carbon footprint compared to other industrial processes. Furthermore, solar salt production often supports biodiversity, as salt pans can provide unique habitats for various bird species, including some endangered ones. In conclusion, solar salt works, bolstered by technology, offer a sustainable avenue for salt production. As global demand for cleaner production practices grows, the relevance and innovation in solar salt technologies will likely continue to evolve.

Feasibility Studies

• Project assessment and comparison of process variants
• Evaluation of raw materials and production technologies 
• Estimation of investment and operating costs in accordance with AACE standards
• Studies (Scoping, Prefeasibility and Bankable Feasibility Studies) according to internationally accepted standards.

Process design & process development

• Process analysis, process optimization and process development 
• Pilot tests for modeling all basic process engineering operations
• Preliminary mass and energy balances for complete processes
• Preparation of preliminary equipment and consumer lists
• Calculation of evaporation areas and pond designs.

Basic Engineering

• Compilation of material, quantity, and energy balances
• Detailed process description of complete process plants
• Dimensioning, specification of suitable processing equipment and machines
• Planning for complete plants/ plant sections
• Concepts for operation and maintenance of the plant
• Commissioning, Performance Tests and Trainings 
• Monitoring of process-relevant construction and installation work
• Planning and monitoring of creating readiness for operation and successful start up
• Planning and monitoring of commissioning and performance tests