Name

A sustainable and safe alternative to mineral acids in reverse osmosis systems

Speakers

Izba Ali

Authors

Izba Ali, Air Liquide, France
Roel Boussemaere and Rudy Lamond, Air Liquide, Belgium
Tomas Alexandersson, Air Liquide, Sweden

Description

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a crucial technology for addressing water scarcity; however, scaling on membrane surfaces can impede its effectiveness. Traditionally, strong mineral acids like HCl and H₂SO₄ are used to mitigate scaling, but they present challenges due to their corrosive nature, safety hazards, and potential to increase salinity, which can violate environmental permits. This study explores the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a sustainable alternative to mineral acids in RO systems. A case study is presented involving a food producer whose environmental permit restricted dissolved solids in their effluent. This necessitated an alternative to sulfuric acid for pH adjustment in their RO system. A fully automated CO₂ injection system was implemented, replacing the mineral acid. Results showed that CO₂ effectively maintained RO process performance while eliminating 120 tons of sulfur emissions annually, ensuring compliance with the environmental permit. This case demonstrates that CO₂ is a viable and sustainable replacement for mineral acids in industrial RO applications. It addresses the operational and environmental challenges associated with mineral acids, promoting water reuse and contributing to efforts to mitigate water scarcity. This approach aligns with broader sustainability goals and the drive to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in industrial processes.

Time

-

Location Name

Ludlow Concourse

Track

Posters