Salt recovery from brine generated by large-scale seawater desalination plants

On the influence of salt concentration on the transport properties of reverse osmosis membranes in high pressure and high recovery desalination

“…This enables the utilisation of TFCs in reverse osmosis water desalination systems with feed solutions ranging from low-salinity fresh and brackish water (~2-10 g.L -1 NaCl) to high-salinity seawater (~35 g.L -1 NaCl). Since, it is common to operate RO plants with overall recoveries around 50% [2], the membrane elements in a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant are subjected to salt concentrations in the feed between 35 to 70 g.L -1 from the entry point until the solution exits the RO spiral wound elements. Bartels et al studied the effect of increasing the salt concentration in the feed up to 12 g.L -1 on commercial RO membranes [3].…”

Mining valuable minerals from seawater: a critical review

“…Al Bazedi et al compared the economics of salt recovery schemes from NF and RO of brines based on evaporation ponds, brine evaporator and MDC. 73 Their analysis showed that the water cost was more competitive when salts (NaCl and MgSO 4 ) were recovered from brines produced from NF and RO systems. They concluded that including MDC in the process improved the per-formance, and hence, the economics of seawater desalination processes through higher water recovery and obtaining valuable mineral products.…”

“…Al Bazedi et al compared the economics of minerals and water recoveries from NF and RO brines based on evaporation ponds, brine evaporator and MDC. 73 They used computer software programmes to calculate the total capital cost, total annual cost and annual revenues from sales of minerals (NaCl, MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O, CaCO 3 ) and water. The results indicated that the scheme involving MDC gave the highest revenues and profits and therefore, the highest simple rate of return (net profits/capital costs).…”

Biomimetic membranes: A critical review of recent progress

“…The reject brine from desalination is a critical environmental issue because of its huge volume [19,20]. This is due to the residual pre-treatment chemicals and high salinity and temperature of the disposed brine.…”