Zero Liquid Discharge of Ultrahigh-Salinity Brines with Temperature Swing Solvent ExtractionClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Chanhee BooChanhee BooDepartment of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesMore by Chanhee Boo
- Ian H. BillingeIan H. BillingeDepartment of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesMore by Ian H. Billinge
- Xi ChenXi ChenDepartment of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesMore by Xi Chen
- Kinnari M. ShahKinnari M. ShahDepartment of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesMore by Kinnari M. Shah
- Ngai Yin Yip*Ngai Yin Yip*Email: [email protected]. Tel: +1 (212) 854-2984.Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesColumbia Water Center, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-6623, United StatesMore by Ngai Yin Yip
Abstract
Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) of hypersaline brines is technically and energetically challenging. This study demonstrates ZLD of ultrahigh-salinity brines using temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE), a membrane-less and nonevaporative desalination technology. TSSE utilizes a low-polarity solvent to extract water from brine and then releases the water as a product with the application of low-temperature heat. Complete extraction of water from a hypersaline feed, simulated by 5.0 M NaCl solution (≈292 g/L TDS), was achieved using diisopropylamine solvent. Practically all of the salt is precipitated as mineral solid waste and the product water contains <5% of NaCl relative to the hypersaline feed brine. Consistent ZLD performance of high salt removals and product water quality was maintained in three repeated semibatch TSSE cycles, highlighting recyclability of the solvent. The practical applicability of the technique for actual field samples was demonstrated by ZLD of an irrigation drainage water concentrate. This study establishes the potential of TSSE as a more sustainable alternative to current thermal evaporation methods for zero liquid discharge of ultrahigh-salinity brines.
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