Evaluation of an advanced wastewater desalination technology for industrial reuse

This thesis work was born as a proposed case study for the EU Ultimate project, which has the ambitious plan to create economic value and increase sustainability by valorizing resources within the water cycle. In line with this, wastewater plays a key role since it can be reclaimed in many applications (i.e. agricultural, industrial or carrier for energy). With the promising concept called “Water Smart Industrial Symbiosis”, the project promotes recycling in various industrial settings. Regarding this thesis, an example for this symbiosis could be realized reusing the effluent from Aretusa Consortium (Italy) wastewater treatment plant as make-up water in Solvay cooling towers, mainly by reducing chlorides concentration and electrical conductivity. In order to achieve this purpose, an advanced desalination technology could be required. After a detailed bibliographic research, two technologies (UF/RO and EDR) were selected, as the most suitable for this case study. Thus, a feasibility analysis was carried out basing on economic and design aspects, using mathematical models and specific design softwares. However, some experimental tests are strongly recommended to check the obtained results for a better evaluation. The high environmental and economic value resulting from the idea underlying this project well represents the concept of circular economy which nowadays is a fundamental guideline for social and industrial policy choices. Anyway, the proposed industrial symbiosis requires high investment costs: the feasibility analysis has to take into account a tradeoff between the environmental advantages and the high costs. The recovered water, which would otherwise have been discharged into the sea, becomes a precious resource