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 energy
[1], and therefore is commonly used in countries with strict land use requirements, such as Singapore and Japan
[2]. 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 Australia
[3]. Due to these factors, there is currently no large scale industrial waste incineration industry in Australia.
References
- ↑ Saikia, N.; de Brito, J. Construction and Building Materials (2012), 34, 385-401.
- ↑ Tan, R. B. H.; Khoo, H. H. "Impact Assessment of Waste Management Options
in Singapore." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (2006), 56, 244–254.
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia’s Environment: Issues and Trends. (2010). Available at www.abs.gov.au.
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
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 energy
[1], and therefore is commonly used in countries with strict land use requirements, such as Singapore and Japan
[2]. 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 Australia
[3]. Due to these factors, there is currently no large scale industrial waste incineration industry in Australia.
References
- ↑ Saikia, N.; de Brito, J. Construction and Building Materials (2012), 34, 385-401.
- ↑ Tan, R. B. H.; Khoo, H. H. "Impact Assessment of Waste Management Options
in Singapore." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (2006), 56, 244–254.
- ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia’s Environment: Issues and Trends. (2010). Available at www.abs.gov.au.
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. |
- |