Boron Separation Processes

The impending crisis posed by water stress and poor sanitation represents one of greatest human challenges for the 21st century, and membrane technology has emerged as a serious contender to confront the crisis. Yet, whilst there are countless texts on wastewater treatment and on membrane technologies, none address the boron problem and separation processes for boron elimination. Boron Separation Processes fills this gap and provides a unique and single source that highlights the growing and competitive importance of these processes. For the first time, the reader is able to see in one reference work the state-of-the-art research in this rapidly growing field. The book focuses on four main areas: Effect of boron on humans and plants Separation of boron by ion exchange and adsorption processes Separation of boron by membrane processes Simulation and optimization studies for boron separation Provides in one source a state-of-the-art overview of this compelling area Reviews the environmental impact of boron before introducing emerging boron separation processes Includes simulation and optimization studies for boron separation processes Describes boron separation processes applicable to specific sources, such as seawater, geothermal water and wastewater

The growing concern over environmental pollution in recent decades has placed increasing focus on research into the development of sustainable processes associated with the removal of contaminants in waters. Water is scarcer than three decades ago, and there is still no satisfactory solution for the removal of pollutants. One element that has gained worldwide prominence is boron. Although it is a nutrient needed in small amounts for human and plant metabolism, higher levels are toxic to most plants and are associated with reproductive problems in humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a maximum concentration in drinking water of 2.4 mg/L, but many countries have not yet adopted this recommendation in their water treatment controls. At present, there is no general method for boron removal; several techniques can be used, such as electrodialysis, precipitation, chemical coagulation and electrocoagulation, complexation/nanofiltration, phytoremediation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and adsorption with different materials. The selection of a particular treatment technology should be made not only on the basis of its efficiency but also with consideration of the associated environmental and financial costs. Biopolymers are a potential solution that has received little attention in the literature. Biopolymers and their derivatives are diverse and abundant in nature; they exhibit fascinating properties and are increasingly important in many applications thanks to their environmentally-friendly characteristics. A small number of publications report the possibility of using tannin gel (Morisada et al., 2011), cellulose cotton (Liu et al., 2007) or chitosan modified with N-methy-D-glucamine (Sabarudin et al., 2005), sugars (Morisada et al., 2011) and diols (Oishi and Maehata, 2013; Fortuny et al., 2014). Biosorption is an effective, simple and cost-beneficial method for the removal of contaminants from waters. This thesis focuses on the development of a sorption-based separation process, using biopolymers and composites for boron removal. The work has been carried out at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in the framework of two research projects (Ref.: CTQ2008PPQ-00417/PPQ and CTQ2011PPQ-22412/PPQ) and the FPI fellowship (BES 2009-026847) financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN). This work is a continuation of research that has been underway at the Department of Chemical Engineering (UPC) for many years, on the development of advanced separation processes for the removal of valuable compounds or contaminants from aqueous solutions. It contributes to the state of the art on boron separation technologies (examples of which include the development of new composites based on the encapsulation of metal hydroxides in biopolymers). Alginate and chitosan were effectively used as sorbents for boron recovery in the current research. Immobilization techniques were implemented using the technology described by Guibal et al., 2010; active materials are trapped in situ and distributed throughout the polymer support, creating a more stable adsorbent than those obtained by the traditional impregnation method, in which the active material is released partially from the pores of the polymer support while successive adsorption-desorption cycles are performed. Three composite materials have been synthesized in order to improve the sorption capacity, the selectivity towards boron species, and the mechanical properties of the raw sorbents: calcium alginate/alumina (C15l), which improves the sorption capacity of alginate in neutral medium; chitosan/nickel(II) hydroxide [chiNi(III)] and chitosan/Iron(III) hydroxide [chiFer(III)], which increase the sorption uptake of chitosan and improve the handling of hydroxides in the adsorption process, and are stable enough to be used in aggressive environments such as seawater without affecting sorption uptake.

Availability of and adequate accessibility to freshwater and energy are two key technological and scientific problems of global significance. At the end of the 20th century, the deficit of water for human consumption and economic application forced us to focus on rational use of resources. Increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency is a challenge for the 21st century. Geothermal energy is heat energy generated and stored in the Earth, accumulated in hydrothermal systems or in dry rocks within the Earth’s crust, in amounts which constitute the energy resources. The sustainable management of geothermal energy resources should be geared towards optimization of energy recovery, but also towards rational management of water resources since geothermal water serves both as energy carrier and also as valuable raw material. Geothermal waters, depending on their hydrogeothermal characteristics, the lithology of the rocks involved, the depth at which the resources occur and the sources of water supply, may be characterized by very diverse physicochemical parameters. This factor largely determines the technology to be used in their exploitation and the way the geothermal water can be used. This book is focused on the effective use of geothermal water and renewable energy for future needs in order to promote modern, sustainable and effective management of water resources. The research field includes crucial new areas of study: • an improvement in the management of freshwater resources through the use of residual geothermal water; • a review of the technologies available in the field of geothermal water treatment for its (re)use for energetic purposes and freshwater production, and • the development of balneotherapy. The book is aimed at professionals, academics and decision makers worldwide, water sector representatives and administrators, business enterprises specializing in renewable energy management and water treatment, working in the areas of geothermal energy usage, water resources, water supply and energy planning. This book has the potential to become a standard text used by educational institutions and research & development establishments involved in the geothermal water management.

Volume 33 of Reviews in Mineralogy reviews the Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry of Boron. Contents: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry of Boron: An Introduction The Crystal Chemistry of Boron Experimental Studies on Borosilicates and Selected Borates Thermochemistry of Borosilicate Melts and Glasses - from Pyrex to Pegmatites Thermodynamics of Boron Minerals: Summary of Structural, Volumetric and Thermochemical Data Continental Borate Deposits of Cenozoic Age Boron in Granitic Rocks and Their Contact Aureoles Experimental Studies of Boron in Granitic Melts Borosilicates (Exclusive of Tourmaline) and Boron in Rock-forming Minerals in Metamorphic Environments Metamorphic Tourmaline and Its Petrologic Applications Tourmaline Associations with Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Geochemistry of Boron and Its Implications for Crustal and Mantle Processes Boron Isotope Geochemistry: An Overview Similarities and Contrasts in Lunar and Terrestrial Boron Geochemistry Electron Probe Microanalysis of Geologic Materials for Boron Analyses of Geological Materials for Boron by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Nuclear Methods for Analysis of Boron in Minerals Parallel Electron Energy-loss Spectroscopy of Boron in Minerals Instrumental Techniques for Boron Isotope Analysis

This collection features contributions covering the advances and developments of new high-temperature metallurgical technologies and their applications to the areas of: processing of minerals; extraction of metals; preparation of metallic, refractory, and ceramic materials; treatment and recycling of slag and wastes; conservation of energy; and environmental protection. The volume will have a broad impact on the academics and professionals serving the metallurgical industries around the world by providing them with comprehensive coverage of a wide variety of topics.

The technology, operation, energy, environmental, analysis, and future development of the metallurgical industries utilizing high temperature processes are covered in the book. The innovations on the extraction and production of ferrous and nonferrous metals, alloys, and refractory and ceramic materials, the heating approaches and energy management, and the treatment and utilizations of the wastes and by-products are the topics of special interests. This book focuses on the following issues: High Efficiency New Metallurgical Process and Technology Fundamental Research of Metallurgical Process Alloys and Materials Preparation Direct Reduction and Smelting Reduction Coking, New Energy and Environment Utilization of Solid Slag/Wastes and Complex Ores Characterization of High Temperature Metallurgical Process

This book introduces a variety of treatment technologies, such as physical, chemical, and biological methods for the treatment of gas emissions, wastewater, and solid waste. It provides a useful source of information for engineers and specialists, as well as for undergraduate and postgraduate students, in the areas of environmental science and engineering.

Volume 65 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry attempts to fill this gap and to explicitly focus on the role that co-existing fluids play in the diverse geologic environments. It brings together the previously somewhat detached literature on fluid–fluid interactions in continental, volcanic, submarine and subduction zone environments. It emphasizes that fluid mixing and unmixing are widespread processes that may occur in all geologic environments of the entire crust and upper mantle. Despite different P-T conditions, the fundamental processes are analogous in the different settings.

Removal of Toxic Pollutants through Microbiological and Tertiary Treatment: New Perspectives offers a current account of existing advanced oxidation strategies - including their limitations, challenges, and potential applications - in removing environmental pollutants through microbiological and tertiary treatment methods. The book introduces new trends and advances in environmental bioremediation technology, with thorough discussion of recent developments in the field. Updated information as well as future research directions in the field of bioremediation of industrial wastes is included. This book is an indispensable guide to students, researchers, scientists, and professionals working in fields such as microbiology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, eco-toxicology, and environmental remediation. The book also serves as a helpful guide for waste management professionals and those working on the biodegradation and bioremediation of industrial wastes and environmental pollutants for environmental sustainability. Introduces various treatment schemes, including microbiological and tertiary technologies for bioremediation of environmental pollutants and industrial wastes Includes pharmaceutical wastewater, oil refinery wastewater, distillery wastewater, tannery wastewater, textile wastewater, mine tailing wastes, plastic wastes, and more Describes the role of relatively new treatment technologies and their approaches in bioremediation, including molecular and protein engineering technologies, microbial enzymes, bio surfactants, plant-microbe interactions, and genetically engineered organisms Provides many advanced technologies in the field of bioremediation and phytoremediation, including electro-bioremediation technology, microbial fuel cell technology, nano-bioremediation technology, and phytotechnologies