Over the past half century, reverse osmosis (RO) has grown from a nascent niche technology into the most versatile and effective desalination and advanced water treatment technology available. However, there remain certain challenges for improving the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of RO desalination plants in various applications. In low-pressure RO applications, both capital (CAPEX) and operating (OPEX) costs are largely influenced by product water recovery, which is typically limited by mineral scale formation. In seawater applications, recovery tends to be limited by the salinity limits on brine discharge and cost is dominated by energy demand. The combination of water scarcity and sustainability imperatives, in many locations, is driving system designs towards minimal and zero liquid discharge (M/ZLD) for inland brackish water, municipal and industrial wastewaters, and even seawater desalination. Herein, we review the basic principles of RO processes, the state-of-the-art for RO membranes, modules and system designs as well as methods for concentrating and treating brines to achieve MLD/ZLD, resource recovery and renewable energy powered desalination systems. Throughout, we provide examples of installations employing conventional and some novel approaches towards high recovery RO in a range of applications from brackish groundwater desalination to oil and gas produced water treatment and seawater desalination.

The research project CuveWaters developed and implemented adapted technologies and accompanying measures to support the national process towards an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The aim is to give people in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin reliable access to clean water over the long term, thus enhancing their livelihood and health, and to create job opportunities. IWRM relies on solutions that use various sources, types and qualities of water for different purposes. CuveWaters implemented pilot plants for rain- and floodwater harvesting, groundwater desalination, as well as facilities for sanitation and water reuse. Technical components of the project were framed by societal and scientific components. Integrated Water Resources Management in Water-scarce Regions provides a comprehensive view on the complexity and interconnectedness of findings and conclusions regarding the principle strategic approach within the CuveWaters project’s concept. The book aims to present the work of technical, social and natural scientists but also of media professionals: It gives thematically focussed details on the three technology-based solutions which go beyond mere technical considerations and embed this into the overarching process towards IWRM in Namibia. Finally, it critically addresses lessons learnt and limits of projects in the context of research for implementation. This book is of great value to experts, professionals and also students and academics in the areas of water management, technology development and implementation and transdisciplinary science.

Sustainable Desalination Handbook: Plant Selection, Design and Implementation provides the comprehensive knowledge base required for efficient and sustainable process design for existing and new desalination plants around the world. This valuable resource for understanding and utilizing the most recent developments in desalination technologies and methods addresses the necessary components, including process design and implementation, operational strategies, and novel discoveries that minimize environmental impacts. In addition, the book features essential illustrations, operational details, issues and potential solutions and sustainable management strategies for present and future desalination plants. - Explains plant design and process selection criteria for each desalination process - Presents international regulations and permitting for intake and discharge locations, design and disposal - Provides energy recovery schemes, optimization and process controls - Covers renewable energy sources, such as nuclear, geothermal, solar and wind powered desalination, energy storage and optimization - Includes case studies of recent desalination projects and process design

This book is part of a series on sustainability. Specifically, it deals with the issue of sustainable water use. Fresh sources of potable water are being depleted across the world. Pure water is the goal of water utilities as well as several industries. Well past the experimental stage, membrane processes are now a proven and reliable method of providing high-quality, cost-effective water. Membrane technologies have immediate applications to treatment of fresh, brackish and sea waters, as well as wastewater reclamation. With innovative module design and engineering, micro- and ultra-filtrations have become effective and economical for drinking water production, particularly for removal of microorganisms. Membrane bioreactors are being developed for municipal and industrial water recycling. Various membrane processes are also used to remove contaminants from industrial wastewaters. This book covers the fundamental and practical concepts and issues regarding the application of membrane technologies for sustainable water treatment. It describes and compares the effectiveness of desalination versus water recycling for long-term sustainable water use. This book is suitable for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, academic researchers and post-docs, manufacturers, consultants, design engineers and buyers in the field of Environmental Engineering and Chemical Engineering. This title is Co-Published with Elsevier.

Sustainable Water and Wastewater Processing covers the 12 most current topics in the field of sustainable water processing, with emphasis given to water as a resource (quality, supply, distribution, and aquifer recharge). Topics covered include emerging sustainable technologies for potable and wastewater treatment, water reuse and recycling, advanced membrane processes, desalination technologies, integrated and hybrid technologies, process modeling, advanced oxidative and catalytic processes, environmentally, economically and socially sustainable technology for water treatment, industrial water treatment, reuse and recovery of materials, and emerging nanotechnology and biotechnology for water processing. Responding to the goals of sustainability requires the maximum utilization of all water resources, water processing with restricted energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas production. Following these trends, this book covers all the important aspects of sustainable water processing and support.

Expanding water reuse-the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes including irrigation, industrial uses, and drinking water augmentation-could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources. Water Reuse presents a portfolio of treatment options available to mitigate water quality issues in reclaimed water along with new analysis suggesting that the risk of exposure to certain microbial and chemical contaminants from drinking reclaimed water does not appear to be any higher than the risk experienced in at least some current drinking water treatment systems, and may be orders of magnitude lower. This report recommends adjustments to the federal regulatory framework that could enhance public health protection for both planned and unplanned (or de facto) reuse and increase public confidence in water reuse.

Sustainable Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment discusses relevant sustainable technologies for water and wastewater treatment pertaining to a nanoscale approach to water treatment and desalination, membrane-based technologies for water recovery and reuse, the energy and water nexus, degradation of organic pollutants, nascent technologies, bio and bio-inspired materials for water reclamation and integrated systems, and an overview of wastewater treatment plants. The book focuses on advanced topics including in situ generation of hydroxyl radicals, which can aid in the indiscriminate oxidation of any contaminant present in wastewater, making advanced oxidation processes commercially viable. Features: A comprehensive review of current and novel water and wastewater treatment technologies from a sustainability perspective All the sustainable technologies, such as desalination, wastewater treatment, advanced oxidation processes, hydrodynamic cavitation, membrane-based technologies, sonosorption, and electrospun fibers Discussion on reference materials for important research accomplishments in the area of water and environmental engineering Theoretical aspects covering principles and instrumentation A summary on sustainability, including life cycle assessment (LCA), energy balance and large-scale implementation of advanced techniques This book is aimed at professionals, graduate students, and researchers in civil, chemical, environmental engineering, and materials science.