Methods, systems, and devices for water treatment or for preventing fouling of components of water treatment systems can include the upstream introduction of nanobubbles in-line and/or in close proximity to a reverse osmosis membrane in the water treatment system. The nanobubbles can bind to and cluster (flocculate) nanoparticles (and possible larger solid particles) so that they can be removed and not foul water purification components such as reverse osmosis membranes. The nanobubbles can also interact with and change some characteristics of nanoparticles and thereby reduce fouling of some system components, such as reverse osmosis membranes, or other components. The systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein can help produce potable water safe for human consumption in a more cost-effective manner, e.g., by reducing maintenance costs and in some cases manufacturing costs.

Disclosed is an apparatus for water treatment, including a membrane separator for solid-liquid separation; and a particle fractionator which has at least two exits of a fractionated solid-liquid mixture produced therein, wherein a liquor containing particles of different sizes including submicron particles is fed to the particle fractionator before a membrane separation by the membrane separator, and wherein a first fraction of the fractionated solid-liquid mixture is returned to the membrane separator from one exit of the at least two exits of the particle fractionator, the first fraction being less than the liquor in terms of content of the submicron particles. This apparatus enables a rapid achievement of suppression of membrane fouling.

Disclosed is an apparatus for water treatment, including a membrane separator for solid-liquid separation; and a particle fractionator which has at least two exits of a fractionated solid-liquid mixture produced therein, wherein a liquor containing particles of different sizes including submicron particles is fed to the particle fractionator before a membrane separation by the membrane separator, and wherein a first fraction of the fractionated solid-liquid mixture is returned to the membrane separator from one exit of the at least two exits of the particle fractionator, the first fraction being less than the liquor in terms of content of the submicron particles. This apparatus enables a rapid achievement of suppression of membrane fouling.

The invention relates to methods of production of a silica concentrate from geothermal fluids. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to the production of a colloidal silica concentrate, colloidal silica or precipitated silica from high temperature geothermal fluids by ultrafiltration to produce size-specific silica colloids and step-wise concentration of silica to avoid precipitation or gelling.

The invention relates to methods of production of a silica concentrate from geothermal fluids. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to the production of a colloidal silica concentrate, colloidal silica or precipitated silica from high temperature geothermal fluids by ultrafiltration to produce size-specific silica colloids and step-wise concentration of silica to avoid precipitation or gelling.

There are provided processes for preparing a metal hydroxide comprising (i) at least one metal chosen from nickel and cobalt and optionally (ii) at least one metal chosen from manganese, lithium and aluminum, the process comprising reacting a metal sulfate comprising (i) at least one metal chosen from nickel and cobalt and optionally (ii) at least one metal chosen from manganese, lithium and aluminum with lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide and optionally a chelating agent in order to obtain a solid comprising the metal hydroxide and a liquid comprising lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate and/or potassium sulfate: separating the liquid and the solid from one another to obtain the metal hydroxide; submitting the liquid comprising lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate and/or potassium sulfate to an electromembrane process for converting the lithium sulfate, sodium sulfate and/or potassium sulfate into lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide respectively; reusing the sodium hydroxide obtained by the electromembrane process for reacting with the metal sulfate; and reusing the lithium hydroxide obtained by the electromembrane process for reacting with the metal sulfate and/or with the metal hydroxide.

The invention relates to a system and method of use for concentrating a solution that is eluted from an ion exchange process (elution solution) during an ion exchange regeneration using the osmotic pressure of the salt saturator. This method recovers solvent from the elution solution that could be used in a future ion exchange regeneration process. The concentration of the elution solution may include the precipitation and removal of solids from the elution solution.

An apparatus, system and method to purify produced water from a wellbore using energy. The apparatus comprises a wellbore with a wellhead attached to the wellbore; at least one energy recapture device connected to the wellhead of the wellbore with produced water, wherein the at least one energy recapture device captures fluid pressure of the production fluids including produced water; and at least one reverse osmosis membrane connected to the pressure recapture device wherein the at least one reverse osmosis membrane uses at least a portion of the fluid pressure from the energy recapture device to move a volume of the produced water through the reverse osmosis membrane to remove contaminates from the produced water to create purified water. The method comprises steps to use the apparatus and the system comprises a control panel that operates the at least one energy recapture device and the at least one reverse osmosis membrane in a coordinated manner.

Water treatment systems including electrically-driven and pressure-driven separation apparatus configured to produce a first treated water suitable for use as irrigation water and a second treated water suitable for use as potable water from one of brackish water and saline water and methods of operation of same.

A method for treating produced water in a system for treating wastewater is disclosed. The system includes a reverse osmosis unit for removing dissolved solids. The reverse osmosis unit produces a permeate and concentrate. To reduce the fouling potential of the membranes associated with the reverse osmosis unit and/or to increase membrane lifetime and/or to increase system recovery, at least a portion of the concentrate is recycled and mixed with the wastewater stream at a point upstream of the reverse osmosis unit.