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We present here an experimental method of dialysate production by forward osmosis (FO) using an inexpensive reverse osmosis (RO) membrane element. This method was developed in response to the increasing need for dialysis treatment in remote and desert regions of Australia where water is precious and electricity supplies are generally unreliable. A 4040 RO membrane element was oriented for FO, using dialysate concentrate as a draw-solution and pre-treated tap-water as a feed-solution. Diluted draw-side output was collected and mixed over a range of target flow-rates. After each test the element was osmotically backwashed. Measurements were made of production time, volume and equivalent flow rates. The benefits of FO were diminished by the process׳ need for osmotic backwashing. Our system had an equivalent water recovery ranging from 65 to 75%. Its energy efficiency was 66% of its RO equivalent. Its operation was almost silent. Two 4040-size RO membrane elements would be necessary to complete a dialysis treatment. Dialysate production may be possible by this method, but its economic and conservation benefits appear to be modest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desalination has simply been too expensive for major application in Australia and the world, but rising costs of developing our remaining water resources (partly due to climate change), coupled with a growing demand for water supplies of varying quality for domestic, mining and industrial purposes, are making us look more closely at the rapidly developing desalination technologies. Water agencies in Australia have increasingly become involved in desalination initiatives. This has led to a greater understanding of desalination technologies, specifically seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) and their consequent use as water supply options for industrial, mining and municipal purposes. A comparison of the basic features of the Australian market, the rapid adoption of the technology, the costs, the technology variations and its expected future to the rest of the world markets will be undertaken. Arguments in relation to the sustainability of Australia's SWRO plants and SWRO in general are presented. The paper will argue why SWRO is one of the most sustainable water sources in Australia and the world, replacing conventional sources for future development. This paper will touch on financing, contracting, design, operational and environmental characteristics related to SWRO and demonstrate why Australia's projects are leading the world in terms of sustainable desalination. Australia's six major seawater desalination plants, "The Big Six" will be discussed. New technologies and other forms of desalination and their applications, such as the growth of BWRO desalination in the coal seam gas extraction industry and SWRO in mining will be mentioned. Future developments in desalination will be discussed. The general status of world desalination will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an exponential increase in both the production and exploration of coal seam gas (CSG) in Australia and many other regions in the world. Amajor issue associated with the production of CSG is the management of produced water. CSG is usually mixed with water in the coal seam, to recover the gas, the water must be first extracted from the coal seam to reduce pressure. This water -- known as co-produced water or CSG water -- is typically quite saline, large in volume and may contain heavy metals and other trace elements of concern. The management of this produced water is of paramount importance to the oil and gas industry. This paper reviews the key characteristics of CSG water and its possible beneficial uses. A specific focus is on the role of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in the treatment of produced water for beneficial uses or safe discharge into the environment. Recent examples involving the use of RO membranes for the treatment of produced water are systematically summarised and discussed. Opportunities and challenges associated with sustainable management of produced water currently presented to the water industry are also highlighted and discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to provide safe drinking water in isolated communities where water supply and electrical infrastructure is limited, a system combining solar energy and advanced water treatment technology (a two-staged membrane process with ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration/reverse osmosis (NF/RO)) has been developed. The objective of this study is to model the speciation of commonly-occurring and sometimes health-threatening trace contaminants, and then to evaluate the impact of speciation on fluoride, arsenic, and magnesium retention by NF/RO. A series of experiments were performed in central Australia in late 2005 to assess elemental retention with four different membranemodules (BW30, ESPA4, NF90, and TFC-S) at various pH values between 3 and 11 at two different source waters (Pine Hill Station and Ti Tree Farm). The removal of fluoride and arsenic was observed to be independent of pH, while magnesium removal is pH dependent. Compound speciation is considered to explain dependence observations. Membrane type was found to impact retention. The results obtained in this study will provide valuable information on the reliability and the optimization windows of the renewable energy powered desalination system that has been developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Produced formation water, a by-product of coal seam gas recovery, causes considerable disposal problems for companies operating in the energy industry. In this case study we show how Australia''s Osmoflo Pty Ltd, which specialises in desalination technology, provides a solution to this problem. It has developed a movable reverse osmosis plant to treat this unwelcome by-product. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reverse osmosis (RO) specialist Osmoflo Pty Ltd has consolidated its position as a major supplier of water-treatment systems, including desalination plants, to the Australian LNG industry following the award of a fourth contract for the giant Wheatstone Project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Australia, as part of the New South Wales Government''s initiatives for sustainable water supply, the Sydney Water Corporation has awarded a major contract for a sea-water reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant to Veolia Water and construction joint-venture partner John Holland. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]