Low cost reclamation using the Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems Technology and reverse osmosis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Sustainable Water Management

Background:

• Wastewater reclamation sustainability is hindered by increasing salt concentrations.
• Conventional methods face challenges in cost-effective salt removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel approach for reducing the cost and energy of wastewater reclamation and salt removal.
• To assess the integration of advanced wastewater pond design, solids separation, and membrane technology.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study using an Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond System (AIWPS) followed by Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), Slow Sand Filtration (SSF), and Reverse Osmosis (RO).
• Analysis of pollutant removal efficiencies (BOD, nitrogen, TDS) and membrane fouling rates.
• Cost and energy consumption analysis compared to conventional methods.

Main Results:

• AIWPS ponds removed an average of 82% BOD and 80% nitrogen.
• Combined treatment achieved >99% removal for BOD and nitrogen, and 98% for TDS.
• RO membrane cleaning intervals exceeded 100 days, comparable to conventional systems.
• Projected cost: $698/MLD and energy: 443 kWh/MLD for AIWPS-RO vs. $1274/MLD and 911 kWh/MLD for conventional systems.

Conclusions:

• The integrated AIWPS-RO system offers substantially lower costs and energy consumption for wastewater reclamation.
• This technology presents a viable solution for sustainable water reuse by efficiently managing salt concentration.
• The system's performance and membrane longevity are competitive with established wastewater treatment processes.