PBJ Engineering Services’ Post

Kidney dialysis and wastewater treatment aren’t often talked about in the same breath – but that could be about to change. Researchers in Houston, Texas, and Guangdong, China, have adapted medical dialysis technology to tackle one of the toughest challenges in wastewater treatment: salty, organic-rich wastewater. Industries like petrochemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals produce wastewater that’s salty and full of organic compounds, making it incredibly hard to treat. Existing methods can use a lot of energy, clog easily, or depend heavily on chemicals. This new dialysis approach takes a different route. Instead of forcing water through a membrane using high pressure, it relies on diffusion. Salts naturally move across a membrane into a separate freshwater stream, leaving organic compounds behind. This gentler method uses less energy and is less likely to clog or damage equipment, making it more efficient and cost-effective. What’s more, it offers the chance to recover valuable materials like salts and chemicals during the process – turning waste into something useful and supporting a circular economy. A great example of how borrowing ideas from other industries can lead to breakthroughs in wastewater treatment! #WastewaterIndustry #Wastewaterengineers #EngineeringExcellence #Sustainability #PBJEngineering

  • Image of a glass small salt shaker with salt in

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