The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources, such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

The invention relates to methods of concentration of colloidal silica in geothermal fluids. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for concentrating silica by ultrafiltration to produce a substantially monodisperse colloidal silica concentrate.

The invention relates to methods of concentration of colloidal silica in geothermal fluids. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for concentrating silica by ultrafiltration to produce a substantially monodisperse colloidal silica concentrate.

An aqueous solution flows through a desalination system that separates the aqueous solution into purified water and concentrated brine. The concentrated brine is directed into an electrodialysis system that includes an anode and a cathode and at least two monovalent selective ion exchange membranes between the anode and the cathode. At least one of the monovalent selective ion exchange membranes separates at least one diluate channel from at least one concentrate channel in the electrodialysis system, and this membrane selectively allows at least one monovalent ion to pass through the membrane while blocking or inhibiting the transport therethrough of multi-valent ions. The concentrated brine flows through at least the concentrate channel while a voltage is applied to the anode and cathode; and additional aqueous solution flows through the diluate channel.

Apparatus and systems for point of entry water purification using reverse osmosis are provided. Generally, systems include a storage tank for containing purified water, wherein elements of the purification system are attached directly to the storage tank, at its exterior or interior. At the storage tank exterior surface, a mounting plate is attached that contains a sediment filter and a reverse osmosis element. The storage tank interior space contains a mechanical float valve system that uses the amount of purified water within the storage tank to provide a negative feedback system to proportionally control flow of water into the purification system.

Disclosed are methods of treating wastewater using a membrane bioreactor and achieving a target phosphorus concentration for the membrane permeate stream. These methods include the steps of dosing a wastewater stream with a rare earth clarifying agent and passing the dosed wastewater stream through the membrane to obtain a membrane permeate stream with a permeate concentration that is less than the phosphorus concentration of the influent stream. This permeate concentration also can be equal to or less than a target phosphorus concentration. In the methods as disclosed herein, the rare earth clarifying agent can be chloride salts of one or more rare earth elements and in certain embodiments, the rare earth clarifying agent can be CeCl.sub.3 and LaCl.sub.3.

An automated waste water treatment system includes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from the collection tank, an electrocoagulation unit that receives the waste water and outputs the waste water as coagulated waste water to a flow line, a polymer dosage tank to provide a polymer dosage into the flow line where the polymer dosage mixes with the coagulated waste water to produce and output flocculated waste water. A clarifier connected to the flow line receives the flocculated waste water and produces sludge-free waste water and concentrated sludge, a series of filters to output filter-treated water, and an ultrafiltration system that receives filter-treated water and outputs ultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system.

An automated waste water treatment system includes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from the collection tank, an electrocoagulation unit that receives the waste water and outputs the waste water as coagulated waste water to a flow line, a polymer dosage tank to provide a polymer dosage into the flow line where the polymer dosage mixes with the coagulated waste water to produce and output flocculated waste water. A clarifier connected to the flow line receives the flocculated waste water and produces sludge-free waste water and concentrated sludge, a series of filters to output filter-treated water, and an ultrafiltration system that receives filter-treated water and outputs ultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system.

An automated waste water treatment system includes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from the collection tank, an electrocoagulation unit that receives the waste water and outputs the waste water as coagulated waste water, a polymer dosage tank to provide a polymer dosage to the coagulated waste water to produce and output flocculated waste water. An air grid of the electrocoagulation unit, the latter housing a plurality of electrodes, increases the lifespan and efficiency of the electrodes to perform electrocoagulation of the waste water. A clarifier connected to the flow line receives the flocculated waste water and produces sludge-free waste water and concentrated sludge, a series of filters to output filter-treated water, and an ultrafiltration system that receives filter-treated water and outputs ultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system.

An automated waste water treatment system includes a collection tank constructed to hold waste water, a first flow line connected to the collection tank to output the waste water from the collection tank, an electrocoagulation unit that receives the waste water and outputs the waste water as coagulated waste water, a polymer dosage tank to provide a polymer dosage to the coagulated waste water to produce and output flocculated waste water. An air grid of the electrocoagulation unit, the latter housing a plurality of electrodes, increases the lifespan and efficiency of the electrodes to perform electrocoagulation of the waste water. A clarifier connected to the flow line receives the flocculated waste water and produces sludge-free waste water and concentrated sludge, a series of filters to output filter-treated water, and an ultrafiltration system that receives filter-treated water and outputs ultrafiltration-treated water to a reverse osmosis system.