Based on your inputs, the optimum end-of-life scenario for your used membrane is:
Disposal in local landfill
Compatible with plastic components |
Yes |
Compatible with fibreglass components |
Yes |
Available in Australia |
Yes |
Available globally |
Yes |
Manual disassembly required |
No |
Landfill is currently the industry standard for disposal of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes. Due to their mostly polymeric composition, membranes are considered inert municipal solid waste in the case of landfill disposal, with no degradation over a measureable time period. Therefore, disposal in landfill has the highest environmental impact of all the considered options, and should be avoided where possible; however, it is the simplest option, with minimal cost.
Energy recovery through incineration
Compatible with plastic components |
Yes |
Compatible with fibreglass components |
Yes |
Available in Australia |
Limited |
Available globally |
Yes |
Manual disassembly required |
No |
Incineration is a thermal waste treatment method that involves the combustion of materials to produce ash, gas emissions and heat. It is attractive because of the reduction in volume of garbage over 90% and the generation of usable energy1, and therefore is commonly used in countries with strict land use requirements, such as Singapore and Japan2. However, while current technology makes it possible to operate incineration plants with significantly reduced emissions, the environmental impact is still high, and there is a large public and political resistance against incineration in Australia3. Due to these factors, there is currently no large scale industrial waste incineration industry in Australia.
References
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Energy recovery though syngas production
Energy recovery through use as a coke substitute in Electric Arc Furnaces
Material recycling
Chemical conversion to an ultrafiltration membrane and then reuse
Direct membrane reuse
Direct reuse as a high quality seawater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a high quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a medium quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a low quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a medium quality nanofiltration membranes
NaCl rejection range (%) |
Permeability range (l.m-2.h-1.bar-1) |
Designation |
Action |
Estimated reuse lifespan (yrs) |
99.9 - 99.6 |
> 0.45 |
High quality SWRO |
Direct reuse as SWRO possible in normal applications |
2 –5 |
99.7 - 99.2 |
> 1.6 |
High quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO possible in normal applications |
2 – 3 |
99.2 – 98 |
> 1.6 |
Medium quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO in standard applications possible |
1 – 2 |
98 – 96 |
> 1 |
Low quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO in harsh applications where regular replacement is required |
1 |
96 – 80 |
> 5 |
Medium quality NF |
Direct reuse as NF membrane possible |
- |
< 96 |
< 5 |
Unsuitable for RO or NF |
Membrane suitable for UF conversion. |
- |
Disposal in local landfill
Compatible with plastic components |
Yes |
Compatible with fibreglass components |
Yes |
Available in Australia |
Yes |
Available globally |
Yes |
Manual disassembly required |
No |
Landfill is currently the industry standard for disposal of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes. Due to their mostly polymeric composition, membranes are considered inert municipal solid waste in the case of landfill disposal, with no degradation over a measureable time period. Therefore, disposal in landfill has the highest environmental impact of all the considered options, and should be avoided where possible; however, it is the simplest option, with minimal cost.
Energy recovery through incineration
Energy recovery though syngas production
Energy recovery through use as a coke substitute in Electric Arc Furnaces
Material recycling
Chemical conversion to an ultrafiltration membrane and then reuse
Direct membrane reuse
Direct reuse as a high quality seawater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a high quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a medium quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a low quality brackishwater RO membranes
Direct reuse as a medium quality nanofiltration membranes
NaCl rejection range (%) |
Permeability range (l.m-2.h-1.bar-1) |
Designation |
Action |
Estimated reuse lifespan (yrs) |
99.9 - 99.6 |
> 0.45 |
High quality SWRO |
Direct reuse as SWRO possible in normal applications |
2 –5 |
99.7 - 99.2 |
> 1.6 |
High quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO possible in normal applications |
2 – 3 |
99.2 – 98 |
> 1.6 |
Medium quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO in standard applications possible |
1 – 2 |
98 – 96 |
> 1 |
Low quality BWRO |
Direct reuse as BWRO in harsh applications where regular replacement is required |
1 |
96 – 80 |
> 5 |
Medium quality NF |
Direct reuse as NF membrane possible |
- |
< 96 |
< 5 |
Unsuitable for RO or NF |
Membrane suitable for UF conversion. |
- |