GE Global Research, in cooperation with Pennsylvania State University, will leverage new technology to develop a cost-effective water recovery process from high salinity extracted formation water. The project objectives are to: define a scalable, multi-stage extracted water desalination system that yields clean water, concentrated brine and, optionally, salt from saline brines (180,000 ppm total dissolved solids, TDS) and that meets a cost target; validate the overall system performance with field-sourced water using GE pre-pilot and lab facilities, and define the scope and identify a team and test location for pilot-scale implementation of the desalination system. Carbon sequestration facilities will be screened to identify a potential source and composition of extracted water, as well as to identify a partner with whom GE will conduct a pilot water recovery project (Phase 2, separate project). Based on the extracted water composition, a cost-effective water recovery process comprising pretreatment, brine concentration, and, optionally, salt crystallization, will be developed based on techno-economic modeling, which includes rigorous process modeling based on Aspen Plus/OLI systems software. A combination of established and new, pilot-ready pretreatment and brine concentration technologies will be evaluated with respect to cost and performance in order to identify the most cost-effective water recovery process.