Reference flow in the MFA for which is suitable the technology

Brine from hide treatment activities

Incoming input

Liquid mixture

Outgoing output

A concentrated sludge from evaporation phase (potentially recirculated in upstream treatment processes), a biological sludge from MBR (recover at an authorized treatment plant) and a clarified water flow (suitable for industrial uses or discarded in surface water bodies)

Technology description

The evaporation process separates water from the inflow liquid mixture by using selective boiling and further condensation step. The concentrate is enriched in salt and it can be recovered onsite. Condensed water is sent to the MBR where biological degradation reduces COD and ammonia content. The high efficiencies in organic carbon and nitrogen removal ensure the compliance with legislative limits or water reuse. Biological sludge is generated by the MBR. 

Organizative processes to support closing the loops

The technological solution needs a specific area also for upstream or downstream tanks in case the flows cannot run continuously. A proper temporary storage of the biological sludge has to be considered.

Practitioners opinion

Generally, energy demanding technology. 

Possible limiting factors

Relatively high capital and operating costs.

PP’s opinion of the technology

The energetic costs are partially covered by photovoltaic panels installed over the plant roof. Therefore the relevance of the major drawback is reduced. 

Concept and conclusions how the technology can affect the CE effect

The coupling of the analyzed technologies provides clarified water that can be potentially used on site for industrial services. There are some capital cost to install the necessary pipelines. The integrated system does not require important maintenance operation and the management is relatively friendly

Is the technology a BAT?

Charts, photo, diagrams

EVAPORATION (A+B = industrial brine; Purified A è to MBR; Still Bottoms = recovery salt)

Figure 1a – EVAPORATION: A batch still showing the separation of A and B. NOTE: in the specific application heat would be generated with electricity – partially from onsite photovoltaic panels. SOURCE: User A1 at English Wikipedia [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons.

MBR (to treat purified water, A flow in the previous scheme)

 

Figure 1b - MBR: theoretical scheme of a MBR; a biological sludge is also produced by the bio-reactor. SOURCE: https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=membrane+biological+reactor#id=E76A2113E169E6422ECE55FAB4A88B4C94C78EBD

References

·     ·       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distillation

·       https://www.lenntech.it/processes/brine-treatment.htm

·       Morillo et al (2014) Comparative study of brine management technologies for desalination plants Desalination 336 (2014) 32–49; Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

·       Antoine Pinasseau, Benoit Zerger, Joze Roth, Michele Canova, Serge Roudier; Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for Waste treatment Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control); EUR 29362 EN; Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2018; ISBN 978-92-79-94038-5, doi:10.2760/407967, JRC113018