Separation of natural organic matter and sodium chloride for salt recovery purposes in zero liquid discharge

Journal article (2020)

Authors

N. van Linden Sanitary Engineering - CEG
R. Shang Sanitary Engineering - CEG
Georg Stockinger Shell Global Solutions B.V.
Sebastiaan Heijman Sanitary Engineering - CEG
H. Spanjers Sanitary Engineering - CEG
Research Group
Sanitary Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 N. van Linden, R. Shang, Georg Stockinger, Sebastiaan Heijman, H. Spanjers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2019.100117
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Water Management

Research Group

Sanitary Engineering

Abstract

The application of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) results in the generation of solid residual streams, which are often not fit for reuse. In this study, we assessed the separation of natural organic matter (NOM) and sodium chloride (NaCl) by nanofiltration (NF), electrodialysis (ED) and ion exchange (IEX) in reverse osmosis brine (RO-brine) and by the extraction of impurities from salt (SALEX) in the generated mixed solids of a full-scale ZLD water treatment plant. The NaCl recovery by NF, ED and IEX ranged 69-99% and the rejection of NOM ranged 18–19%, 43–65% and 53–76%, respectively. The recovery of NaCl by SALEX ranged 52–99%, while the rejection of NOM ranged 59–92%. The results show that NOM and NaCl can be sepa-rated both in RO-brine and mixed solids, opening opportunities for recovery of reusable salt from brines in ZLD.