Utilities Tech Outlook Weekly Brief
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Utilities Tech Outlook
The expansion of the lithium market is increasing the use of cutting-edge wastewater treatment technology to address the water shortage. Technologies based on membranes, such as FO and RO, are gaining popularity.
FREMONT, CA: Water scarcity is a developing concern worldwide, with restrictions in water supply, poor water quality, and complete loss of access to water becoming increasingly widespread. This challenge is no longer isolated to developing nations or dry regions but is now being felt by people globally. In response, companies are embracing new technologies to conserve and reuse water, and one of the most promising alternatives is the usage of membrane-based technology.
Membrane-based technologies have led to new treatment methods that can turn modern wastewater treatment facilities into cutting-edge, sustainable reuse facilities. Reverse osmosis (RO), one of the most established of these technologies, is anticipated to have a market size of USD 13.5 billion by 2025 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7 per cent. This increase is being fueled by new treatment regulations for municipal and industrial wastewater applications, water scarcity, and brine management as more desalination facilities are constructed to fulfil the growing demand for drinking water.
Osmotically aided reverse osmosis (OARO), closed-circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO), membrane distillation (MD), and forward osmosis (FO) are some of the additional membrane technologies that have been developed. In recent years, FO has gained significant traction due to developments in chemistry and material science. To achieve higher water recovery rates at lower energies, FO makes use of freshly released, commercially available water-selective membranes and a new thermolytic draw solution (TDS). This makes it possible to recover and extract significant amounts of clean water from wastewater using the free osmotic energy present in the "draw" solution.
Finding economically effective draw solutions that are simple to regenerate with low energy requirements has always been a barrier to commercialising FO technology. This issue has been met in part by the choice and application of a thermolytic draw solution. When compared to conventional thermal evaporation (TE), FO thermolytic draw solutions can extract and produce clean water with a 40–50 per cent lower energy use. FO is advantageous for businesses aiming to raise their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating because it requires less energy than TE and has a much lower carbon footprint. In addition to its robustness, FO has several advantages over RO, including the elimination or reduction of common RO problems like solids compaction, pore obstruction, and irreversible flux loss.
Membrane-based technology is crucial in the face of water scarcity. Reusing wastewater not only conserves water resources but also enhances industrial processes, reduces environmental pollution, and contributes to global sustainability goals. Industries may dramatically lower their water footprint, protect natural resources, and promote a sustainable future by implementing FO technology.
The implementation of membrane-based technologies like FO is a possible answer to the problem of global water scarcity. To conserve natural resources and ensure a sustainable future, these technologies provide a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient method of treating and recycling wastewater. As the need for water grows, it is crucial to prioritise water preservation and conservation by appreciating water as a resource and implementing cutting-edge treatment techniques to recycle wastewater.
