Valorisation of SWRO brines in a remote island through a circular approach: Techno-economic analysis and perspectives

Morgante, C.; Vassallo, Fabrizio; Xevgenos, D.; Cipollina, Andrea; Micari, Marina; Tamburini, Alessandro; Micale, G.

doi:10.1016/j.desal.2022.116005

Cited by 26 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…6 are comparable with literature data. For instance, Morgante et al [52] proposed an MLD system to valorise the brine from Sataria SWRO plant (Italy). The system composed of NF, Mg reactive crystallizer, multi-effect distillation and NaCl thermal crystallizer was designed to treat half of the brine produced in Sataria (about 0.8 Mm 3 / y).…”

Section: Techno-economic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Analysis of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Brines Treatment Using Nanofiltration Modelling Tools

Figueira¹,

López²,

Reig³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Section: Techno-economic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Analysis of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Brines Treatment Using Nanofiltration Modelling Tools

Figueira¹,

López²,

Reig³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Many efforts have been focused on incorporating mineral scaling models in bench-scale modules ranging from simple one-dimensional process-scale models to full computational fluid dynamic models relying on either complex mineral scaling models or simple regressions. − Some models have considered scaling limitations on RO systems, but they do not perform full treatment train optimization . Models of mineral scaling have been rarely used for the cost optimization of treatment trains at the full system scale, with some studies estimating pretreatment costs from pilot scale data, − estimating costs from operational data, , and estimating basic pretreatment design from single dimensional regression . Critically, to our knowledge, the direct incorporation of mineral scaling predictions with rigorous mathematical cost optimization of chemical dosing and RO design in conceptual, high-recovery treatment trains that surpass conventional limitations has never been demonstrated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Framework for Cost Optimization of Process-Scale Desalination Systems with Mineral Scaling and Precipitation

Amusat,

Atia,

Dudchenko

et al. 2024

ACS EST Eng.

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Cost-optimization models are powerful tools for evaluating emerging water treatment processes. However, to date, optimization models do not incorporate detailed chemical reaction phenomena, limiting the assessment of pretreatment and mineral scaling. Moreover, novel approaches for highsalinity and high-recovery desalination are typically proposed without direct quantification of pretreatment needs or mineral scaling. This work addresses a critical gap in the literature by presenting a modeling framework that includes complex water chemistry predictions with process-scale optimization. We use this approach to conduct a technoeconomic assessment on a conceptual highrecovery treatment train that includes chemical pretreatment (i.e., soda ash softening and recarbonation) and membrane-based desalination (i.e., standard and high-pressure reverse osmosis). We demonstrate how to develop and integrate accurate multidimensional surrogate models for predicting precipitation, pH, and mineral scaling tendencies. Our findings show that cost-optimal results balance the costs of pretreatment with reverse osmosis system design. Optimizing across a range of water recoveries (i.e., 50−90%) reveals multiple costoptimal schemas that vary the chemical dosing in pretreatment and the design and operation of reverse osmosis. Our results reveal that pretreatment costs can be more than double the cost of the primary desalination process at high recoveries due to the extensive pretreatment required to control scaling. This work emphasizes the importance of and provides a framework for including chemistry and mineral scaling predictions in the evaluation of emerging technologies in high-recovery desalination.

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“…Ocean disposal, evaporation ponds, deep-well injection, , and surface water discharge are the conventional methods for treating waste brines. However, using these technologies to treat brines has disadvantages associated with their high capital and negative environmental impact . Recently, membrane distillation (MD), , membrane distillation crystallizers (MDCs), and reverse electrodialysis (RED) − have been reported as innovative technologies to reduce the volume of waste brine, but are not able to recover value product from this waste, used individually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, using these technologies to treat brines has disadvantages associated with their high capital and negative environmental impact. 20 Recently, membrane distillation (MD), 21 , 22 membrane distillation crystallizers (MDCs), 23 and reverse electrodialysis (RED) 24 − 26 have been reported as innovative technologies to reduce the volume of waste brine, but are not able to recover value product from this waste, used individually. On the contrary, through minimum liquid discharge (MLD) or zero liquid discharge (ZLD) strategies, researchers have sought to minimize or eliminate brine disposal and valorize it.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrodialysis with Bipolar Membranes for the Sustainable Production of Chemicals from Seawater Brines at Pilot Plant Scale

Cassaro

Virruso

Culcasi

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Environmental concerns regarding the disposal of seawater reverse osmosis brines require the development of new valorization strategies. Electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBM) technology enables the production of acid and base from a salty waste stream. In this study, an EDBM pilot plant with a membrane area of 19.2 m2 was tested. This total membrane area results much larger (i.e., more than 16 times larger) than those reported in the literature so far for the production of HCl and NaOH aqueous solutions, starting from NaCl brines. The pilot unit was tested both in continuous and discontinuous operation modes, at different current densities (200–500 A m–2). Particularly, three different process configurations were evaluated, namely, closed-loop, feed and bleed, and fed-batch. At lower applied current density (200 A m–2), the closed-loop had a lower specific energy consumption (SEC) (1.4 kWh kg–1) and a higher current efficiency (CE) (80%). When the current density was increased (300–500 A m–2), the feed and bleed mode was more appropriate due to its low values of SEC (1.9–2.6 kWh kg–1) as well as high values of specific production (SP) (0.82–1.3 ton year–1 m–2) and current efficiency (63–67%). These results showed the effect of various process configurations on the performance of the EDBM, thereby guiding the selection of the most suitable process configuration when varying the operating conditions and representing a first important step toward the implementation of this technology at industrial scale.

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Valorisation of SWRO brines in a remote island through a circular approach: Techno-economic analysis and perspectives

Cited by 26 publications

References 55 publications

Techno-Economic Analysis of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Brines Treatment Using Nanofiltration Modelling Tools

Techno-Economic Analysis of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Brines Treatment Using Nanofiltration Modelling Tools

Modeling Framework for Cost Optimization of Process-Scale Desalination Systems with Mineral Scaling and Precipitation

Electrodialysis with Bipolar Membranes for the Sustainable Production of Chemicals from Seawater Brines at Pilot Plant Scale

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