Cyclopentane hydrate-based processes for treating heavy metal containing wastewater

The scarcity of water and increasing water pollution are the pressing challenge human being facing. Recovering water and valuable heavy metals is highly desired for treating heavy metal containing wastewater. We proposed a novel hydrate-based process to treat Ni2+ containing wastewater. The water recovery, Ni2+ enrichment factor, desalination efficiency were studied using this cyclopentane hydrate-based method. A water recovery of 43% can be obtained with a desalination efficiency of round 88% and an enrichment factor of 1.6. The desalination efficiency and the quality of the as-made water via the hydrate-based process can be further improved to above 99% via three-stage hydrate reaction. The proposed hydrate-based water treatment process may find wide applications in waste water treatment and heavy metal recycling.