Marie Curie Fellowship - Advanced concentrate treatment for integrated membrane based water reuse systems (ACTIWATE)

Project Member(s): Vigneswaran, S.

Funding or Partner Organisation: European Commission (Marie Curie Individual Fellowships)
FHNW University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
UNSW / UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology

Start year: 2011

Summary: In the context of water scarcity mitigation, high quality water reuse based on dense membrane treatment is expected to be progressively applied to provide the additional water resources required. Many countries started to invest in double membrane reclamation plants. However environmental concerns and the high costs associated with membrane concentrate management limit the application of high quality water reuse, especially in inland locations. The project aims at the investigation of integrated reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane concentrate treatment concepts, with minimized costs and environmental impact. Applying the sustainable Zero Liquid Discharge principle, it combines treatment methods for the removal of bulk and trace organics with a subsequent desalting system. The concentrate desalination shall be based on a low energy consuming and low fouling concentration step, e.g. ED or FO, to significantly increase the salt concentration of the brine and then precipitate the salts or use wind aided intensified evaporation as final stage for salt production. The system configuration will differ whether designed for RO or NF concentrates due to different ion compositions. Instead of producing additional disposable waste, the salts should be recyclable. The focus of the research will be on the optimum removal of micropollutants and foulants affecting the desalting system to allow a complete recycle of the concentrate to the upstream process, such as wastewater treatment or effluent filtration.

FOR Codes: Membrane and Separation Technologies, Urban and Industrial Water Management, Separation¿¿technologies, Terrestrial systems and management not elsewhere classified

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.