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Masthead

UNITING THE VIBRANT WORLD OF WATER - TO PROVIDE A PROACTIVE PLATFORM FOR THE WATER INDUSTRY TO CONVERGE AND WORK TOGETHER IN ACHIEVING SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL WATER PROBLEMS.

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C O N T E N T S

Ecotechnology – A Complete Solution for RO Reject Water...24

This article explores the possibility for treatment of RO Reject water by eco-friendly technology as an alternate to energy

oriented MEE technology for various uses, achieving the UNEP’s goal and conserving the natural resources as well.

By Dr. Sanat K. Jain

Eco-Logical Conversion of Salts into Resources.............44

This article is a case study of developing a new ecological process for treatment of salts and discusses extra specific

logic of eco-friendly desalination.By Dr. Uday Bhawalkar

Home Made Evaporators for Inland RO Rejects: Predicaments

and Prospects for India.....28The article discusses the challenge of RO rejects

management, predicaments and prospects particularly in remote inland settings.

By Er Dr S Saktheeswaran & Er Dr S Sundaramoorthy

Forward Osmosis: A Latest Technology for Extracting Water

From RO Rejects & Achieving ZLD.........39

The article discusses forward osmosis as the latest technology for extracting water from RO rejects and

achieving ZLD. Read on...By Dr. Harshvardhan Modak

RO Brine Management in Indian Industry..............56This article is an overview of the existing methods on brine treatment, minimization, and disposal practices based on the newest and most updated technologies.By Shailendra Kumar Yadav, Dr. T. Jayasekhar & Dr. A.K.Priya

A Novel Gas Hydrate Based Water Desalination and Eutectic Salt Crystallisation Process.......64This article discuss a new gas hydrate based water desalination technology to address the problem oftechno-economic desalination of high salinity brine.By Amit Katyal

ZLD Project Treats RO Concentrate for Potable Water Use...................68Diminishing potable water supplies and conservation initiatives have prompted utilities to look to unconventional sources and process applications to meet potable water demands, while making the most of their existing resources. Effective treatment of waste streams can be an essential part of meeting these goals. By Phil Locke

RO Reject & Water Management......................66The article gives succinct overview of reverse osmosis technology and alternate use of RO reject. By Rajul Parikh

Masthead ....................................6

Water Wire.................................12

Launch Pad................................16

Event Zone.................................18

Product Zone.............................22

Editorial Calendar......................96

Subscription Form.....................97

Classifieds............................98

Ad.Index...................................101

Editor’s Note............................102

RE

GU

LA

RS

Watershed Management in Urban Perspective - Issues

Design Requirement & Mitigations...........80

By Dinkar Saxena

Thames Water - A Pioneer In Filtration Research.......86

By Tommy Charles Olsen

Reverse Osmosis Reject Water and its Available Uses! ......76

This article discusses Reverse Osmosis reject water and its possible alternative uses.

By Daniel L. Theobald

Saving Dal Lake for Future Generations..............94By Aquamec

C O N T E N T S

Reverse Osmosis Reject Water and its Available Uses!

This article discusses Reverse Osmosis reject water and its possible alternative uses.By Daniel L. Theobald

In this series of Backto Fundamentals

on water andwastewater, thearticle discussesReverse Osmosis

reject water and its possible alternative

uses.

This document is intended to discuss Reverse Osmosis (RO) reject water and possible alternative uses. This generic presentation utilizes my extended number of years of experience recycling and reusing wastewater based

on information below:

Presentation Details:

• Explain chemical makeup of RO Reject Water vs. Fresh Water

• Identify uses for RO Reject Water

• Conclusion

Explain Chemical Makeup Of RO Reject Water Vs. Fresh Water

Typical RO reject / RO concentrate TDS concentrations are often in the range of 30,000-50,000 Mg/L. Fresh Water will not contain these high TDS Concentrations. Furthermore drinking water TDS concentrations should be less than 500 Mg/L. The salts in solution can range from highly soluble sodium and potassium salts to less soluble or reverse soluble calcium and barium salts.

Reverse Osmosis technology has been used for years in various industries to separate dissolved solids from water by forcing the water through a semi-permeable membrane. RO is also commonly used to purify drinking water and also used to desalinate seawater to produce potable water. The water and other molecules with lower molecular weight (specific weight of molecules allowed to pass through is dependent on the selected membrane) pass through the micro-pores in the membrane, generating a purified water stream called “permeate”.

Larger molecules are retained by the membrane as well as a measurable portion of the water that does not pass through the membrane. This intensified stream is called the concentrate or RO reject. Specifically, the high salinity in RO reject / RO concentrate can make it prohibitive for discharge to a local sewer facility. Hauling the wastewater to a treatment facility can also be prohibitively expensive.

What to do with the concentrate or reject water (measured as much as 15-50% of the RO

76 Water Today l December 2015

feed water volume) will be covered in this presentation. Some industrial and non-industrial uses of RO Reject are included in the section below.

Identify Uses For RO Reject Water:

Industries that produce metals, wood, paper, chemicals, gasoline, oils, and most other products all use water in some part of their production process. Industry depends on water, much like agriculture and domestic households depend on water.

Industrial reliance on water makes it essential to preserve water in every aspect possible and make sure water pollution is kept at lowest levels. We will focus next on understanding what water means to industry, how much is used during production, and the negative effects of industrial water use.

Recognize that many industrial water uses are candidates for RO Reject Water use.

Total industrial water use in the world is approximately 20%, with high-income countries using near 50%, and low-income countries using a minuscule amount less than 10%. These figures will rise with increased industrial production. Annual water volume use by industry is increasing at an enormous rate.

According to statistical forecasts, annual water volume use may likely increase 50% between 1990 and 2025.Based on International Reporting, more than 250 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other wastes accumulate each year from industry; of which a lot is either disposed or discharged into water supplies.

In certain developing countries, more than 65% of industrial wastes may be dumped into untreated waters where they can pollute the drinking water.

Clearly, there have been some issues concerning freshwater supplies and industry may be a major contributor. Industry is reliant on water for all levels of production. Water can be used as a raw material, solvent, coolant, transport agent, and energy source. According to Regulators, large volumes of water are used to produce glass, plastic, along with some fabric components. Fresh water is for other purposes than just drinking.

Car washes are a great example of an industry that uses gallons and gallons of water everyday. People in developed countries use

them frequently without really thinking about all of the water being used. Certain advanced countries use the majority of freshwater in industry, and the United States leads the way. It is breathtaking if one thinks how much water is consumed by industry. It is forecasted that water consumed by industry will represent more than 20% of the total freshwater withdrawal worldwide by 2025.

Recognizing some facts about industrial water use, along with its major uses, let us explore some of the concerns regarding freshwater use for industries. It is widely accepted that water is a necessity for all industrial production. In turn; that means water must be protected, conserved, and used in a proper manner.

For most industrial purposes, the water used needs to be freshwater, not salt water, because salt can corrode metal. Another huge concern about water use in industry is that government authorities do not regulate or enforce the standards put in place to conserve water.

Protecting fresh water supplies can be improved if governing bodies guided water use and enforce those guidelines strictly. Fresh water is needed for industries to survive, but it is also needed for humans to survive.

Standards are put in place however, to enforce water discharge. There should be a conservation plan that is followed to help make freshwater accessible to all.

To help achieve having freshwater accessible to all, industry can use RO Reject Water to replace certain water uses that are not negatively affected by TDS concentrations in the range of 30,000 – 50,000 Mg/L. as follows:

Washing: Buildings, vehicles, equipment, equipment parts, tanks, vessels and more.

Other uses including: Production process water, utility equipment supply water, cooling waterand more.

Furthermore, to help achieve having freshwater accessible to all, non-industrialapplications of RO Reject Water can replace certain water uses that are not negatively affected byTDS concentrations in the range of 30,000 – 50,000 Mg/L. as follows:

Irrigating, toilet water supply and washing equipment, vehicles, other hard surfaces and more. To apply these techniques to your

Water Today l December 2015 77

individual situation, critically analyze all your water requirementsto select appropriate RO Reject Water uses.

Conclusion:

As seen above, opportunities to use RO Reject water are widely available to us. Also, there are many reasons to use RO Reject to conserve water to help achieve having freshwater accessible to all; some are listed below!

Without fresh water you will die in just a few days, using less water keeps money in your pocket, protecting our natural eco-systems from further damage, conserving water can also save energy, water conservation can actually reduce the occurrence of sinkholes, and more.

Daniel L. Theobald is “Wastewater Dan,” proprietor of Environmental Services. He is a professional wastewater and safety consultant/trainer with more than 24 years

of hands-on industry experience operating many variants of wastewater treatment processing units and is eager to share with others his knowledge about water conservation. Wastewater Dan can be reached at TheWastewaterWiz01@gmail.com or www.Conserve-On-Water.com

About the Author

So hopefully you are ready to begin now to Implement Use of RO Reject Water. However; beforehand or in the process, feel free to reach out to me with your RO Reject Water or any other Wastewater questions.

78 Water Today l December 2015