Membrane technology is the core expertise of NRRE Lab, implemented in the form of advanced membrane processes and hybrids thereof, outlined below. Such special expertise (by trained scientific and technical personnel) and related infrastructure have been developed within NRRE/CPERI, in recent decades. Infrastructure includes state-of-the-art analytical equipment, fully instrumented/automated pilot units, and advanced process simulation tools. The pilot facilities (and software tools) are developed and constructed (in most cases) within NRRE/CPERI.

An integrated approach to process development is pursued/implemented, whereby:

1. phenomena/ mechanisms are experimentally investigated at laboratory/bench scale,
2. tools involving constitutive- expressions/correlations are developed next (aided by process modeling/simulation),
3. process scale-up (and testing) follows in laboratory pilot units, thus enabling d) realistic pilot-process demonstration and optimization.

This approach allows process development to high Technology Readiness Level – TRL (i.e., TRL 6-7), starting from low TRL (2-3).

Areas of R&D activities in NRRE Lab include:

• Water desalination and purification for specified uses (potable, irrigation, industrial process needs).
• Treatment/reuse of wastewater and effluents (of any type), while pursuing Zero-Liquid Discharge-ZLD
• Valorization of natural resources and of agro-industrial by-products/wastes, through the recovery of valuable bioactive compounds, recycled materials, nutrients and renewable energy (i.e., biogas, hydrogen).
• Other membrane-based processes for niche applications; e.g., membrane haemo-filtration.