Regulatory investigation and cost analysis of concentrate disposal from membrane plants

Abstract

Concentrate stream disposal is considered a negative factor regarding the utilization of membrane processes for potable membrane processes for potable water treatment because of the existing regulations and supposed high cost. This research consisted of a state and national review of the regulations controlling the concentrate discharge from a potable water membrane plant, and a cost evaluation of four different methods of concentrate disposal. Cost development was accomplished bye estimating the cost of concentrate stream transmission which was then incorporated into the estimated cost of either saline water disposal, rapid infiltration, spray irrigation, and deep well injection. The cost for each of these disposal methods was estimated by determining the specific cost factors that determined the overall cost of disposal. The cost of each method of concentrate disposal was estimated for varying flows, distances of transmission, line pressures, and other factors by computer modelling and graphical representation. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for cost estimates of transmission costs as well as the cost of each of the four disposal methods. Concentrate transmission costs were evaluated for 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mile transport distances. Assuming a variety of membrane operating pressures, pumping costs did not become a factor until the 10 mile transport pipelines were evaluated. Disposal system cost estimates were performed for each of the four disposal methods at concentrate flows ranging from 0.01 to 25 mgd. As a function of concentrate flow, saline water discharge was found to be the least costly disposal method followed by rapid infiltration, spray irrigation, and deep well injection. However, at the high concentrate flow of 25 mgd, spray irrigation was found to be more costly than deep well injection. Cost estimates for disposing of a 1.33 mgd concentrate flow were compared to water treatment costs at the Collier County, Florida, North County Regional Water Treatment Plant, which is a membrane softening facility ($0.95/ Kgal product water cost), and the following resulted: The total cost for each concentrate disposal method evaluated was less than 9% of the total overall cost for membrane water treatment.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1991

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Taylor, James S.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering

Department

Electrical Engineering

Format

PDF

Pages

239 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0028121

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering; Engineering -- Dissertations, Academic

Accessibility Status

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