AWWA ACE63126

This paper presents results from a series of innovative tests utilizing ion exchange (IX), bipolar membraneElectrodialysis (BMED) and Electrochlorination (EC) technologies to recover useful products from ROconcentrate that can be utilized at the treatment facility. Experiments were conducted on RO concentrateobtained from a pilot-scale integrated membrane system (IMS) treating wastewater. The IX experimentsfocused on recovering phosphate from RO concentrate using a chelating ion exchange resin andconverting the phosphate rich regenerant into struvite, a commercially viable fertilizer. Reasonably longrun lengths of up to 700 BVs were obtained with actual RO concentrate using one of the tested resins.BMED was used for generating mixed acids and bases from the RO concentrate solution after suitablesoftening pretreatment. Reasonably high concentrations of acids and bases (0.2- 0.5 M) were produced andwere shown to be dependent on the concentration and the volume of the used salt solution. Additionally,the RO concentrate was desalted as well. Electrochlorination using RO concentrate was utilized to convertthis waste stream into hypochlorite disinfectant of 0.6% similar to that currently being utilized at watertreatment plants.The above processes present the potentially viable alternative of utilizing the RO concentrate for theproduction of useful products instead of having to dispose of the waste brine into the environment. Includes 9 references, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

06/01/2006

Number of Pages:

13

File Size:

1 file , 310 KB