Natural treatment based on willows for concentrate of reverse osmosis
Van Houtte, E.; Mendonca, I.; McAteer, E.; Rogier, T.; Van Eeghem, J.; de Grave, V.W.; Verbauwhede, J.; Notebaert, B. (2023). Natural treatment based on willows for concentrate of reverse osmosis. Desalination and Water Treatment 309: 180-184. https://dx.doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2023.30091 In: Desalination and Water Treatment. Taylor & Francis: London. ISSN 1944-3994; e-ISSN 1944-3986, more |   |
| Keyword | | | Author keywords | Water reuse; Membranes; Concentrate disposal; Natural treatment; Managed aquifer recharge; Climate change |
| Authors | | Top | - Van Houtte, E., more
- Mendonca, I.
- McAteer, E.
- Rogier, T., more
| - Van Eeghem, J.
- de Grave, V.W., more
- Verbauwhede, J., more
- Notebaert, B., more
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| Abstract | Aquaduin started reusing wastewater effluent for infiltration, Cf. managed aquifer recharge (MAR), in its dune water catchment St-Andre in 2002. The treatment train at the Water Production Centre Torreele is based on multiple barrier approach with submerged ultrafiltration prior to reverse osmo-sis (RO). The project not only resulted in enhanced ecological values of the dunes but during the recent longer periods of drought, the combination of reuse/MAR proved to be a robust and safe way to ensure drinking-water production and thus is a potential solution to mitigate the impact of climate change [1]. Concentrate disposal is an issue when using RO. However, as Aquaduin oper-ates in a coastal area, disposal could be managed; the concentrate was discharged in a canal that drained to the sea. To mitigate the impact of this discharge, treatment of RO concentrate using wil-lows has been tested since 2007. This research resulted in the full-scale implementation of a wil-low field or marsh, that is based on the concept of a horizontally constructed wetland combined with short rotation coppice using willows (Salix). The construction started in 2021 and early 2022 the willow marsh became operational. In 2022 a total volume of 538.446 m3 was treated by the willow marsh, 85% of the total volume of RO concentrate produced. This paper will present the preliminary research, construction and initial results of the treatment. |
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