Forward Osmosis Hybrid Processes for Mining Wastewater Treatment

This chapter examines the integration of forward osmosis (FO) with other water treatment methods with a particular focus on integrating FO and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies. It discusses the limitations of RO in relation to the quality of the feed water, in particular for the treatment of mining wastewater. In dry conditions, water management must focus on minimizing dependence on high-quality water. Adapting coal handling and preparation plants and dust suppression to use highly saline water reduces the volume of raw water that needs treatment at mine sites. The chapter presents different modes of integration and examines the advantages and limitations of different hybrid configurations. The hybrid system could potentially eliminate the extensive pretreatment required for conventional RO processes and thereby the overall cost of desalination. The mine site application of hybrid FO-RO technology has yet to be investigated.