Extreme Recovery Membrane Process and Zero Liquid Discharge Low Temperature Crystallization for Treating Scaling Mine Waters

摘要

The paper describes a step change mine water treatment process that increases water recoveiy from 40-70% to over 95% without the use of chemical softening in a low cost membrane system. The cost of mine water treatment is decreased by eliminating chemicals and the hassles of chemical and sludge handling and reducing the highly expensive downstream evaporative brine management stage. The membrane process beneficially removes all contaminants of concern, unlike biological treatment where only specific ions are removed. Moreover, the membrane process can start instantaneously, is not temperature dependent, and can operate with fluctuating feed water chemistry. Full analytical results, performance and economics will be presented for an innovative Salt Splitter Reverse Osmosis process treatment of scaling mine waters. Results for a low temperature crystallizer and an advanced targeted removal process for nitrates are also presented.