Treatment Alternatives for High TDS / Salinity Brine

[Orion573]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for technologies for treatment of groundwater with the following characteristics:

pH = 7.0 to 7.8
TDS = 40,000 to 70,000 mg/L
Sulfate = 25,000 to 35,000 mg/L
Sodium = 15,000 to 35,000 mg/L

These are the main constituents of the groundwater and also the main parameters I am looking to remove from water. This is not for a drinking water application. Water is low in organics, suspended solids, and iron.

I know that reverse osmosis is most promising for the water quality described. I also know that electrodialysis might work - but has better efficiency at TDS < 5,000 mg/L. I know that ion exchange will not work here due to the high salinity.

Any other things that come to mind? From obvious high-salinity treatment processes that I missed, to new, experimental (even laboratory-scale) processes that you know about? Anything will help. Thank you!

-Al

 

[bimr]

The optimal technology will depend on several things, ie. the use for the recycled water, the climate, the energy cost, and the waste disposal costs.

RO and electrodialysis technologies will both concentrate the salts within a brine stream. What do you plan to do with the brine stream after the treatment?

An evaporator (brine concentrator and salt crystalizer) will produce two streams, one of pure water and the other a dry salt.

 

[stanier]

Evaporation ponds

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
---B.B. King

http://waterhammer.hopout.com.au/

 

[bimr]

The viability of evaporation ponds is limited by the climate.

 

[Orion573]

Thank you for all your replies. This is a very high-level feasibility thought exercise/brain storm, so all ideas are welcome, and costs/disposal issues are not a concern. The location for this treatment would be in a really dry, hot area with less than 5 inches of precipitation per year - so the ponds certainly will work. I was trying to see that I wasn't missing any of the active technologies. Thank you all for your answers - keep them coming.

-Al