WO2024026063A1

WO2024026063A1 - Systems and methods for managing wastewater

Info

Publication number: WO2024026063A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/028927
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siva Kumar KOTA; Hiep Thanh Huynh LE
Original assignee: Gradiant Corporation
Priority date: 2022-07-28
Filing date: 2023-07-28
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

Example embodiments relate generally to managing wastewater. The system includes a treatment assembly. The treatment assembly includes a main housing. The main housing is configured to receive and house wastewater. The treatment assembly also includes an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is connected to the main housing. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is configured to selectively provide an antiscalant and/or polymer dispersant into the wastewater housed in the main housing so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater. The system also includes a membrane filtration assembly. The membrane filtration assembly includes at least one of the following: a nanofiltration membrane and reverse osmosis membrane. The at least one of the nanofiltration membrane and reverse osmosis membrane are configured to receive the pre- treated wastewater from the treatment assembly and separate the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and first permeate.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING WASTEWATER Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/393,186, filed July 28, 2022, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Managing Wastewater,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for treating wastewater. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for treating wastewater using membrane technology, including wastewater resulting from mining processes.

Background

[0003] Wastewater, including those resulting from mining processes, will typically include waste constituents that may be potentially harmful to the environment. Such wastewater is often treated to reduce the amount of potentially harmful waste, such as before releasing the wastewater into the environment. Major constituents of wastewater (e.g., wastewater from mining processes) may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.

[0004] There are various approaches to the treatment of wastewater. For example, wastewater may be treated through the use of membrane technology, or the like. However, wastewater components, including those described above and in the present disclosure, may cause and/or contribute to scaling and fouling across the surface of such membranes.

Summary

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of treating wastewater, and/or the like, and for addressing conventional problems, including those described above and in the present disclosure, and more specifically, example embodiments related to improved systems and methods of treating wastewater (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining operations), and/or the like, including those that efficiently achieve high water recovery and reduce scaling and fouling and resource requirements and/or other negative effects normally encountered when using conventional systems and methods.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a system for managing wastewater is described. The system includes an inlet assembly. The inlet assembly is configured to receive wastewater. The system also includes a treatment assembly. The treatment assembly includes a main housing. The main housing is connected to the inlet assembly. The main housing is configured to house wastewater received from the inlet assembly. The treatment assembly also includes an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is connected to the main housing. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is configured to selectively provide an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant into the wastewater housed in the main housing so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater. The system also includes a membrane filtration assembly. The membrane filtration assembly includes at least one of the following: a nanofiltration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane. The at least one of the nanofiltration membrane and reverse osmosis membrane are configured to receive the pretreated wastewater from the treatment assembly and separate the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, a system for managing wastewater is described. The system includes a treatment assembly. The treatment assembly includes a main housing. The main housing is configured to house wastewater. The treatment assembly also includes an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is connected to the main housing. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant source is configured to selectively provide at least one of the following into the wastewater housed in the main housing so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater: an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant. The system also includes a membrane filtration assembly. The membrane filtration assembly is configured to receive the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly and separate the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate. The system also includes a first reject recycling assembly. The first reject recycling assembly is configured to receive the first reject from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject. The first reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly. The system also includes a polishing assembly. The polishing assembly includes a reverse osmosis membrane. The reverse osmosis membrane is configured to receive the first permeate from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first permeate into a second reject and a second permeate. The system also includes a second reject recycling assembly. The second reject recycling assembly is configured to receive the second reject from the polishing assembly and separate the second reject into a second reject liquid and a second final reject. The second reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the second reject liquid to the polishing assembly.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for managing wastewater is described. The method includes receiving wastewater by an inlet assembly. The method also includes housing, in a treatment assembly, the received wastewater. The method also includes selectively providing, by the treatment assembly, at least one of the following into the wastewater so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater: an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant. The method also includes separating, by a membrane filtration assembly, the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate. The separating includes applying at least one of the following: a nanofiltration process and a reverse osmosis process.

Brief Description of Figures

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, example embodiments, and their advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and: [0010] Figure 1 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a system and method for treating wastewater;

[0011] Figure 2 is an illustration of another example embodiment of a system and method for treating wastewater; and

[0012] Figure 3 is an illustration of another example embodiment of a system and method for treating wastewater.

[0013] Although similar reference numbers may be used to refer to similar elements in the figures for convenience, it can be appreciated that each of the various examples embodiments may be considered to be distinct variations.

[0014] Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, which forma part of the present disclosure and which illustrate example embodiments which may be practiced. As used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the terms "embodiment," "example embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and "present embodiment" do not necessarily refer to a single embodiment, although they may, and various example embodiments may be readily combined and/or interchanged without departing from the scope or spirit of example embodiments. Furthermore, the terminology as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not intended to be limitations. In this respect, as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the term "in" may include "in" and "on," and the terms "a," "an," and "the" may include singular and plural references. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the term "by" may also mean "from," "depending on the context. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims, the term "if" may also mean "when" or "upon," depending on the context. Furthermore, as used in the present disclosure and appended claims, the words "and/or" may refer to and encompass any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Detailed Description

[0015] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. The processes and system described in the detailed description and drawings are for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be utilized and other changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the disclosure presented herein. In the present disclosure, the depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular figure or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another figure or description material associated therewith.

[0016] The treatment (or pre-treatment) of wastewater, including those resulting from mining processes, to reduce potentially harmful waste in the wastewater before being released into the environment is an important step to protecting the environment. Constituents of wastewater (e.g., wastewater from mining processes) may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc. Wastewater can be treated in a variety of ways. For example, wastewater may be treated using membrane technology, or the like. It is recognized in the present disclosure, however, that certain components present in wastewater, such as those described above and in the present disclosure, may contribute to, among other things, scaling and fouling across the surface of such membranes. While scale inhibitors (or antiscalants) may be used, such scaling and fouling problems will continue to affect water recovery efforts (e.g., water recovery reduction of less than 40% or less) since scale inhibitors tend to be ineffective in low pH environments with high concentrations of transition metals.

[0017] It is recognized in the present disclosure that scaling and fouling across the membrane surface may be mitigated through the reduction of transition metals concentration and hardness concentration via chemical precipitation, such as lime softening, adjusting pH levels to neutral, and dosing of an antiscalant. It is also recognized in the present disclosure, however, that such approaches may be inefficient as they involve significant chemical usage, sludge production, high footprint, operator attention, and safety management.

[0018] Present example embodiments relate generally to and/or include systems and methods for addressing conventional problems, including those described above and in the present disclosure, and more specifically, example embodiments relate to improved systems and methods for managing wastewater, and/or the like, including methods and systems for the treatment of wastewater resulting from mining processes, methods and systems for efficiently achieving high water recovery, and/or methods and systems for reducing scaling, fouling, resource requirements, and/or other negative effects normally encountered when managing wastewater. For example, embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for treating acidic mining wastewater that is rich in transition metals.

[0019] It is to be understood that, while example embodiments are mostly described in the present disclosure as pertaining to systems and methods for treatment of mining process wastewater, the principles described in the present disclosure may also be applied beyond the context of treatment of mining process wastewater, such as general water purification, separation, or the like without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0020] Example embodiments will now be described below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part of the present disclosure.

[0021] First example embodiment of a system for managing wastewater (e.g., system 106). [0022] FIGURE 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a system (e.g., system 106) for managing wastewater. For example, the system 106 may be configurable or configured to treat wastewater resulting from various processes, including wastewater resulting from mining processes. Wastewater sources may include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage, acid leachate, acid eluate, and/or other low pH minerals processing streams. As described in the present disclosure, the system 106 is configurable or configured to perform such management of wastewater by performing one or more of a variety function, actions, and/or processes and using one or more of the elements described in the present disclosure.

[0023] In an example embodiment, the system 106 includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100), or the like, for receiving wastewater resulting from one or more processes (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining processes). The system 106 also includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102), or the like, in fluid communication with the inlet assembly 100. As will be further described in the present disclosure, the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive the wastewater from the inlet assembly 100 and perform a treatment process on the received wastewater. The system 106 also includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104), or the like, in fluid communication with one or more elements of the system 106, including the treatment assembly 102. As will be further described in the present disclosure, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102 and separate the treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate (or effluent).

[0024] Example embodiments of the wastewater management system 106, and elements thereof, will now be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part of the present disclosure.

[0025] Inlet (e.g., inlet 100).

[0026] In an example embodiment, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100). Each inlet assembly 100 is configurable or configured to receive wastewater from one or more processes and/or sources. Each inlet assembly 100 is also configurable or configured to direct the received wastewater to the treatment assembly 102 and/or one or more other elements of the system 106.

[0027] Although example embodiments described herein are directed to the inlet assembly 100 receiving and directing wastewater resulting from mining processes and/or sources, it is to be understood that the inlet assembly 100 may also receive and direct liquid resulting from one or more other processes, sources, and/or the like, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such pre-treated wastewater to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further pre-treatment and/or treatment. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been treated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such treated wastewater to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further pre-treatment and/or treatment.

[0028] Treatment assembly (e.g., treatment assembly 102).

[0029] In an example embodiment, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102). Each treatment assembly 102 includes a main housing configurable or configured to receive wastewater (e.g., wastewater from mining processes) from one or more inlet assemblies 100. The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is further configurable or configured to provide (or output) wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more membrane filtration assemblies 104. In example embodiments, the treatment assembly 102 may also be configurable or configured to provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more other elements of the system 106. For example, the treatment assembly 102 may feedback wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 back to one or more inlet assemblies 100 so as to provide such pre-treated wastewater back into the treatment assembly 102 to be pre-treated again. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a pre-filtration assembly 200 (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a cartridge assembly 202 (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a reject recycling assembly 206 (as further described in the present disclosure). In yet another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a polishing assembly 300 (as further described in the present disclosure).

[0030] The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive and house wastewater received from the inlet assembly 100 (and/or received from one or more other elements of the system 106). The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in any one or more shapes. For example, the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in a rectangular, square, conical, circular shape, or any other desired shape.

[0031] In an example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a scale control agent, scale inhibitor, or the like, (referred to herein as an "antiscalant") to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the antiscalant provided by the antiscalant source into main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may include, but is not limited to, phosphonates, and may further include organic phosphonates, in doses of amounts effective to inhibit metal sulfate (e.g., calcium sulfate) scale formation. The antiscalant may also include a chelating agent (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, SHMP), or the like, organic compounds containing sulfonate, phosphonate, polyacrylic acids, carboxylic acids, polymaleic acids, organophosphates, anionic polymers, etc. In example embodiments, about 1 to 300 mg of antiscalant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the antiscalant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0032] The treatment assembly 102 may also include a polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a polymer dispersant, or the like, to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the polymer dispersant provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment unit 102 may include, but is not limited to, low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers. For example, such low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers may include one or more of the following functionalities: carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or their respective salts. In example embodiments, about 1 to 100 mg of polymer dispersant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0033] In another example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a pre-determined or dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant to the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly 102. For example, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a pre-determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a pre-determined or fixed ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant; pre-determined or fixed amount of antiscalant; and/or predetermined or fixed amount of polymer dispersant. On the other hand, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant that is dynamically determined in real time based on, among other things, a real-time determination of an amount of wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102, amount of wastewater received or being received in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, inflows into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), amount of pre-treated wastewater exiting or being removed from the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, outflows out of the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), etc.

[0034] In example embodiments, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided into and/or present in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 in a ratio ranging from about 0.01:1 to 0.35:1 of polymer dispersant to antiscalant. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 through continuous inline dosing. [0035] Membrane filtration assembly (c.g.. membrane filtration assembly 104).

[0036] In an example embodiment, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104). The membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like. Example nanofiltration (NF) membranes may include NF90, NF270, or the like. Alternatively or in addition, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Foose RO membranes are used to partially desalinate an influent saline stream in successive steps. A greater portion of the influent ions pass through these membranes compared to reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes, reducing the hydraulic pressure required to drive the desalination process. A greater portion of the influent ions are rejected by the membrane compared to nanofiltration (NF) membranes, reducing permeate salinity. Highly saline streams can be efficiently desalinated using this process because the higher permeability reduces the required hydraulic pressure. Loose RO membranes may comprise membranes comprising a partially oxidized polyamide active layer having an atomic oxygen/nitrogen ratio of at least 1.5 : 1 , as measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and/or membranes comprising pores having a molecular weight cutoff of 100-200 Daltons. Example loose reverse osmosis membranes may include brackish water RO (BWRO) membranes or seawater membranes such as SW30X, HR, or the like.

[0037] For example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a nanofiltration (NF) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a loose reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, stacked and/or arranged adjacently to one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. In yet another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include an alternating arrangement of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, and loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Other arrangements of nanofiltration (NF) membranes and/or loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are also contemplated without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0038] In an example embodiment, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive liquid (e.g., pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102, wastewater from one or more other sources and/or elements of the system 106, etc.). The membrane filtration assembly 104 is then configurable or configured to separate the received liquid into at least a first reject and a first permeate (or first effluent). For example, solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first reject. The remaining liquid of the received liquid may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first permeate (or first effluent). The first reject is discharged from the system 106 through an outlet of the membrane filtration assembly 104.

[0039] It is to be understood that the system 106 may include one or more additional "stages" of membrane filtration assemblies 104 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration), which may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned membrane filtration assembly 104 (referred to as the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104), without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, after the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 provides a first stage first permeate (after reject separation), such first stage first permeate may be provided into another first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (e.g., a second stage membrane filtration assembly 104) to further separate first rejects from it. The liquids resulting from such second stage membrane filtration assembly 104 may be further provided to a third stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (and so on, as needed).

[0040] Second example embodiment of a system for managing wastewater (e.g., system 106).

[0041] FIGURE 2 illustrates another example embodiment of a system (e.g., system 106) for managing wastewater. The system 106 may be configurable or configured to treat wastewater resulting from various processes, including wastewater resulting from mining processes. Wastewater sources may include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage, acid leachate, acid eluate, and/or other low pH minerals processing streams. [0042] In an example embodiment, the system 106 includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100), or the like, for receiving wastewater resulting from one or more processes (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining processes). The system 106 also includes one or more pre-filtration assemblies (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200), or the like. As will be further described in the present disclosure, the pre-filtration assembly 200 is configurable or configured to receive the wastewater from the inlet assembly 100 and perform a filtering of solids from the received wastewater. The system 106 also includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102), or the like. As described in the present disclosure, the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive the pre-filtered wastewater from the pre-filtration assembly 200 and perform a treatment process on the received wastewater. The system 106 also includes one or more cartridge assemblies (e.g., cartridge assembly 202), or the like. The system 106 also includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104), or the like. As described in the present disclosure, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202 and separate the treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate (or effluent). The system 106 also includes one or more reject recycling assemblies (e.g., reject recycling assembly 206).

[0043] Example embodiments of the wastewater management system 106, and elements thereof, will now be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part of the present disclosure.

[0044] Inlet (e.g., inlet 100).

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100). Each inlet assembly 100 is configurable or configured to receive wastewater from one or more processes and/or sources. Each inlet assembly 100 is also configurable or configured to direct the received wastewater to the pre- filtration assembly 200 and/or one or more other elements of the system 106.

[0046] Although example embodiments described herein are directed to the inlet assembly 100 receiving and directing wastewater resulting from mining processes and/or sources, it is to be understood that the inlet assembly 100 may also receive and direct liquid resulting from one or more other processes, sources, and/or the like, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such pre-treated wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been treated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such treated wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been filtered by the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such filtered wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 again (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the cartridge assembly 202 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the reject recycling assembly 206 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing.

[0047] Pre-filtration assembly (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200).

[0048] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more pre-filtration assemblies (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200). The pre-filtration assembly 200 may include one or more filters, or the like. Example filters for the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include an ultrafiltration membrane, a multimedia filter, a cartridge filter, a sediment filter, a carbon cartridge filter, and/or a micron filter, and/or the like.

[0049] For example, the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include a filter, or the like, which receives the wastewater from the inlet assembly 100 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a pre-filtered wastewater to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106). As another example, the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include a plurality of filters, or the like.

[0050] In an example embodiment, the pre-filtration assembly 200 is configurable or configured to receive wastewater (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining processes). The pre- filtration assembly 200 is then configurable or configured to separate solids from the received wastewater. For example, larger solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) are separated from the rest of the wastewater by the pre-filtration assembly 200. The remaining wastewater is then provided to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more elements of the system 106).

[0051] Treatment assembly (e.g., treatment assembly 102).

[0052] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102). Each treatment assembly 102 includes a main housing configurable or configured to receive wastewater (e.g., wastewater from mining processes) from the pre-filtration assembly 200. The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is further configurable or configured to provide (or output) wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more cartridge assemblies 202. In example embodiments, the treatment assembly 102 may also be configurable or configured to provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more other elements of the system 106. For example, the treatment assembly 102 may feedback wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 back to one or more inlet assemblies 100 so as to provide such pre-treated wastewater back into the treatment assembly 102 to be pre-treated again. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to the pre-filtration assembly 200. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to the membrane filtration assembly 104. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pretreated by the treatment assembly 102 to a reject recycling assembly 206 (as further described in the present disclosure). In yet another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a polishing assembly 300 (as further described in the present disclosure).

[0053] The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive and house wastewater received from the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or received from one or more other elements of the system 106). The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in any one or more shapes. For example, the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in a rectangular, square, conical, circular shape, or any other desired shape.

[0054] In an example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a scale control agent, scale inhibitor, or the like, (referred to herein as an "antiscalant") to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the antiscalant provided by the antiscalant source into main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may include, but is not limited to, phosphonates, and may further include organic phosphonates, in doses of amounts effective to inhibit metal sulfate (e.g., calcium sulfate) scale formation. The antiscalant may also include a chelating agent (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, SHMP), or the like, organic compounds containing sulfonate, phosphonate, polyacrylic acids, carboxylic acids, polymaleic acids, organophosphates, anionic polymers, etc. In example embodiments, about 1 to 300 mg of antiscalant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the antiscalant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0055] The treatment assembly 102 may also include a polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a polymer dispersant, or the like, to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the polymer dispersant provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment unit 102 may include, but is not limited to, low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers. For example, such low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers may include one or more of the following functionalities: carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or their respective salts. In example embodiments, about 1 to 100 mg of polymer dispersant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0056] In another example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a pre-determined or dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant to the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly 102. For example, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a pre-determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a pre-determined or fixed ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant; pre-determined or fixed amount of antiscalant; and/or predetermined or fixed amount of polymer dispersant. On the other hand, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant that is dynamically determined in real time based on, among other things, a real-time determination of an amount of wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102, amount of wastewater received or being received in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, inflows into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), amount of pre-treated wastewater exiting or being removed from the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, outflows out of the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), etc.

[0057] In example embodiments, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided into and/or present in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 in a ratio ranging from about 0.01:1 to 0.35:1 of polymer dispersant to antiscalant. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 through continuous inline dosing.

[0058] Cartridge assembly (e.g., cartridge assembly 202).

[0059] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more cartridge assemblies (e.g., cartridge assembly 202). The cartridge assembly 202 may include one or more cartridge filters, or the like, to further remove particulates, or the like, from the pre-treated wastewater from treatment assembly 102. Example cartridge filters for the cartridge assembly 202 may include sedimentation filters, carbon filters, or the like.

[0060] For example, the cartridge assembly 202 may include a cartridge filter, or the like, which receives pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 100 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a further filtered wastewater to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106). As another example, the cartridge assembly 200 may include a plurality of cartridge filters, or the like.

[0061] In an example embodiment, the cartridge assembly 202 is configurable or configured to receive pre-treated wastewater (e.g., wastewater resulting from the pre-treatment performed by the treatment assembly 100). The cartridge assembly 202 is then configurable or configured to remove smaller particulates from the received pre-treated wastewater. For example, smaller solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) are separated from the rest of the pre-treated wastewater by the cartridge assembly 202. The remaining pre-treated wastewater is then provided to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more elements of the system 106).

[0062] Membrane filtration assembly (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104). [0063] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104). The membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like. Example nanofiltration (NF) membranes may include NF90, NF270, or the like. Alternatively or in addition, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Example loose reverse osmosis membranes may include brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membranes or seawater membranes such as SW30X, HR, or the like.

[0064] For example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a nanofiltration (NF) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a loose reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, stacked and/or arranged adjacently to one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. In yet another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include an alternating arrangement of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, and loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Other arrangements of nanofiltration (NF) membranes and/or loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are also contemplated without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0065] In an example embodiment, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive liquid (e.g., pre-treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202, wastewater from one or more other sources and/or elements of the system 106, etc.). The membrane filtration assembly 104 is then configurable or configured to separate the received liquid into at least a first reject and a first permeate (or first effluent). For example, solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first reject and provided to one or more reject recycling assemblies 206. The remaining liquid of the received liquid may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first permeate (or first effluent). The first reject is discharged from the system 106 through an outlet of the membrane filtration assembly 104. [0066] It is to be understood that the system 106 may include one or more additional "stages" of membrane filtration assemblies 104 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration), which may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned membrane filtration assembly 104 (referred to as the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104), without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, after the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 provides a first stage first permeate (after reject separation), such first stage first permeate may be provided into another first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (e.g., a second stage membrane filtration assembly 104) to further separate first rejects from it. The liquids resulting from such second stage membrane filtration assembly 104 may be further provided to a third stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (and so on, as needed). In such examples, each membrane filtration assembly 104 (e.g., second stage membrane filtration assembly 104, third stage membrane filtration assembly 104, etc.) may also include one or more first reject recycling assemblies 206, as described below and in the present disclosure.

[0067] Reject recycling assembly (e.g., reject recycling assembly 206).

[0068] As illustrated in Figure 2, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more reject recycling assemblies (e.g., reject recycling assembly 206). The reject recycling assembly 206 is configurable or configured to separate residual liquids from the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject, and return the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. The first final reject is then discharged. Example reject recycling assemblies may include the use of a series of conduits, valves, and a high pressure pump.

[0069] In an example embodiment, one or more additional "stages" of reject recycling assemblies 206 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration) may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned reject recycling assembly 206 (referred to as the first stage reject recycling assembly 206). For example, after the first stage reject recycling assembly 206 provides a first stage first reject (after liquid separation), such first stage first reject may be provided into another reject recycling assembly 206 (e.g., a second stage reject recycling assembly 206) to further separate residual liquids from it. Any residual liquids separated from such first stage first reject by the second stage reject recycling assembly 206 may be returned to the membrane filtration assembly 104, and a second stage first reject (after the second liquid separation) may be further provided to a third stage reject recycling assembly 206 (and so on, as needed).

[0070] Third example embodiment of a system for managing wastewater (e.g., system 106).

[0071] FIGURE 3 illustrates another example embodiment of a system (e.g., system 106) for managing wastewater. The system 106 may be configurable or configured to treat wastewater resulting from various processes, including wastewater resulting from mining processes. Wastewater sources may include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage, acid leachate, acid eluate, and/or other low pH minerals processing streams.

[0072] In an example embodiment, the system 106 includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100), or the like, for receiving wastewater resulting from one or more processes (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining processes). The system 106 also includes one or more pre-filtration assemblies (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200), or the like. As will be further described in the present disclosure, the pre-filtration assembly 200 is configurable or configured to receive the wastewater from the inlet assembly 100 and perform a filtering of solids from the received wastewater. The system 106 also includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102), or the like. As described in the present disclosure, the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive the pre-filtered wastewater from the pre-filtration assembly 200 and perform a treatment process on the received wastewater. The system 106 also includes one or more cartridge assemblies (e.g., cartridge assembly 202), or the like. The system 106 also includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104), or the like. As described in the present disclosure, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202 and separate the treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate (or effluent). The system 106 also includes one or more first reject recycling assemblies (e.g., first reject recycling assembly 206), which are connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the membrane filtration assembly 104. The system 106 also includes one or more polishing assemblies (e.g., polishing assembly 300). The system 106 also includes one or more second reject recycling assemblies (e.g., second reject recycling assembly 206), which are connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the polishing assembly 300. [0073] Example embodiments of the wastewater management system 106, and elements thereof, will now be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part of the present disclosure.

[0074] Inlet (e.g., inlet 100).

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more inlet assemblies (e.g., inlet assembly 100). Each inlet assembly 100 is configurable or configured to receive wastewater from one or more processes and/or sources. Each inlet assembly 100 is also configurable or configured to direct the received wastewater to the prefiltration assembly 200 and/or one or more other elements of the system 106.

[0076] Although example embodiments described herein are directed to the inlet assembly 100 receiving and directing wastewater resulting from mining processes and/or sources, it is to be understood that the inlet assembly 100 may also receive and direct liquid resulting from one or more other processes, sources, and/or the like, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such pre-treated wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been treated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such treated wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been filtered by the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such filtered wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 again (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the cartridge assembly 202 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the reject recycling assembly 206 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the polishing assembly 300 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. As another example, the inlet assembly 100 may also receive some or all of the wastewater that has been processed by the second reject recycling assembly 206 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106); and direct such processed wastewater to the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. [0077] Pre-filtration assembly (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200).

[0078] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more pre-filtration assemblies (e.g., pre-filtration assembly 200). The pre-filtration assembly 200 may include one or more filters, or the like. Example filters for the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include an ultrafiltration membrane, a multimedia filter, a cartridge filter, a sediment filter, a carbon cartridge filter, and/or a micron filter, and/or the like.

[0079] For example, the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include a filter, or the like, which receives the wastewater from the inlet assembly 100 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a pre-filtered wastewater to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106). As another example, the pre-filtration assembly 200 may include a plurality of filters, or the like.

[0080] In an example embodiment, the pre-filtration assembly 200 is configurable or configured to receive wastewater (e.g., wastewater resulting from mining processes). The pre- filtration assembly 200 is then configurable or configured to separate solids from the received wastewater. For example, larger solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) are separated from the rest of the wastewater by the pre-filtration assembly 200. The remaining wastewater is then provided to the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more elements of the system 106).

[0081] Treatment assembly (e.g., treatment assembly 102).

[0082] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more treatment assemblies (e.g., treatment assembly 102). Each treatment assembly 102 includes a main housing configurable or configured to receive wastewater (e.g., wastewater from mining processes) from the pre-filtration assembly 200. The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is further configurable or configured to provide (or output) wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more cartridge assemblies 202. In example embodiments, the treatment assembly 102 may also be configurable or configured to provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to one or more other elements of the system 106. For example, the treatment assembly 102 may feedback wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 back to one or more inlet assemblies 100 so as to provide such pre-treated wastewater back into the treatment assembly 102 to be pre-treated again. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to the pre-filtration assembly 200. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to the membrane filtration assembly 104. As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pretreated by the treatment assembly 102 to a first reject recycling assembly 206 (as further described in the present disclosure), which is connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the membrane filtration assembly 104. In yet another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a polishing assembly 300 (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the treatment assembly 102 may provide wastewater that has been pre-treated by the treatment assembly 102 to a second reject recycling assembly 206 (as further described in the present disclosure), which is connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the polishing assembly 300.

[0083] The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 is configurable or configured to receive and house wastewater received from the pre-filtration assembly 200 (and/or received from one or more other elements of the system 106). The main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in any one or more shapes. For example, the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may be formed in a rectangular, square, conical, circular shape, or any other desired shape.

[0084] In an example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a scale control agent, scale inhibitor, or the like, (referred to herein as an "antiscalant") to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the antiscalant provided by the antiscalant source into main housing of the treatment assembly 102 may include, but is not limited to, phosphonates, and may further include organic phosphonates, in doses of amounts effective to inhibit metal sulfate (e.g., calcium sulfate) scale formation. The antiscalant may also include a chelating agent (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, SHMP), or the like, organic compounds containing sulfonate, phosphonate, polyacrylic acids, carboxylic acids, polymaleic acids, organophosphates, anionic polymers, etc. In example embodiments, about 1 to 300 mg of antiscalant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the antiscalant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0085] The treatment assembly 102 may also include a polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a polymer dispersant, or the like, to the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102. In an example embodiment, the composition of the polymer dispersant provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment unit 102 may include, but is not limited to, low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers. For example, such low molecular weight polymers derived from unsaturated monomers may include one or more of the following functionalities: carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and/or their respective salts. In example embodiments, about 1 to 100 mg of polymer dispersant per liter of wastewater may be provided by the polymer dispersant source into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102.

[0086] In another example embodiment, the treatment assembly 102 may include an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source (or inlet, port, or the like) configurable or configured to selectively provide a pre-determined or dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant to the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly 102. For example, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a pre-determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a pre-determined or fixed ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant; pre-determined or fixed amount of antiscalant; and/or predetermined or fixed amount of polymer dispersant. On the other hand, when the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source provides a dynamically determined combination of an antiscalant and polymer dispersant, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source may be configurable or configured to provide a ratio of antiscalant to polymer dispersant that is dynamically determined in real time based on, among other things, a real-time determination of an amount of wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102, amount of wastewater received or being received in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, inflows into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), amount of pre-treated wastewater exiting or being removed from the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 (e.g., in example embodiments where the antiscalant and polymer dispersant combination is added into the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 based on, among other things, outflows out of the main housing of the treatment assembly 102), etc.

[0087] In example embodiments, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided into and/or present in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 in a ratio ranging from about 0.01:1 to 0.35:1 of polymer dispersant to antiscalant. The antiscalant and polymer dispersant are provided in the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 through continuous inline dosing.

[0088] Cartridge assembly (e.g., cartridge assembly 202).

[0089] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more cartridge assemblies (e.g., cartridge assembly 202). The cartridge assembly 202 may include one or more cartridge filters, or the like, to further remove particulates, or the like, from the pre-treated wastewater from treatment assembly 102. Example cartridge filters for the cartridge assembly 202 may include sedimentation filters, carbon filters, or the like.

[0090] For example, the cartridge assembly 202 may include a cartridge filter, or the like, which receives pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 100 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a further filtered wastewater to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106). As another example, the cartridge assembly 200 may include a plurality of cartridge filters, or the like.

[0091] In an example embodiment, the cartridge assembly 202 is configurable or configured to receive pre-treated wastewater (e.g., wastewater resulting from the pre-treatment performed by the treatment assembly 100). The cartridge assembly 202 is then configurable or configured to remove smaller particulates from the received pre-treated wastewater. For example, smaller solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) are separated from the rest of the pre-treated wastewater by the cartridge assembly 202. The remaining pre-treated wastewater is then provided to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more elements of the system 106).

[0092] Membrane filtration assembly (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104).

[0093] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more membrane filtration assemblies (e.g., membrane filtration assembly 104). The membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like. Example nanofiltration (NF) membranes may include NF90, NF270, or the like. Alternatively or in addition, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Example loose reverse osmosis membranes may include brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membranes or seawater membranes such as SW30X, HR, or the like.

[0094] For example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a nanofiltration (NF) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a loose reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, or the like, which receives the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly 102 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a treated wastewater (as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include a plurality of loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels. As another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include one or more nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, stacked and/or arranged adjacently to one or more loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. In yet another example, the membrane filtration assembly 104 may include an alternating arrangement of nanofiltration (NF) membranes, or the like, and loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Other arrangements of nanofiltration (NF) membranes and/or loose reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are also contemplated without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0095] In an example embodiment, the membrane filtration assembly 104 is configurable or configured to receive liquid (e.g., pre-treated wastewater from the cartridge assembly 202, wastewater from one or more other sources and/or elements of the system 106, etc.). The membrane filtration assembly 104 is then configurable or configured to separate the received liquid into at least a first reject and a first permeate (or first effluent). For example, solids and/or constituents of and/or within the received liquid (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first reject and provided to one or more first reject recycling assemblies 206, which are connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the membrane filtration assembly 104. The remaining liquid of the received liquid may be separated by the membrane filtration assembly 104 as the first permeate (or first effluent) and provided to the polishing assembly 300. The first reject is discharged from the system 106 through an outlet of the membrane filtration assembly 104.

[0096] It is to be understood that the system 106 may include one or more additional "stages" of membrane filtration assemblies 104 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration), which may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned membrane filtration assembly 104 (referred to as the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104), without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, after the first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 provides a first stage first permeate (after reject separation), such first stage first permeate may be provided into another first stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (e.g., a second stage membrane filtration assembly 104) to further separate first rejects from it. The liquids resulting from such second stage membrane filtration assembly 104 may be further provided to a third stage membrane filtration assembly 104 (and so on, as needed). In such examples, each membrane filtration assembly 104 (e.g., second stage membrane filtration assembly 104, third stage membrane filtration assembly 104, etc.) may also include one or more first reject recycling assemblies 206, as described below and in the present disclosure.

[0097] First reject recycling assembly (e.g., first reject recycling assembly 206).

[0098] In an example embodiment, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more first reject recycling assemblies (e.g., first reject recycling assembly 206). As illustrated in Figure 3, the first reject recycling assembly 206 is connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the membrane filtration assembly 104. The first reject recycling assembly 206 is configurable or configured to separate residual liquids from the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject, and return the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. The first final reject is then discharged. Example first reject recycling assemblies may include the use of a series of conduits, valves, and a high pressure pump.

[0099] In an example embodiment, one or more additional "stages" of first reject recycling assemblies 206 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration) may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned first reject recycling assembly 206 (referred to as the first stage first reject recycling assembly 206). For example, after the first stage first reject recycling assembly 206 provides a first stage first reject (after liquid separation), such first stage first reject may be provided into another first reject recycling assembly 206 (e.g., a second stage first reject recycling assembly 206) to further separate residual liquids from it. Any residual liquids separated from such first stage first reject by the second stage first reject recycling assembly 206 may be returned to the membrane filtration assembly 104, and a second stage first reject (after the second liquid separation) may be further provided to a third stage first reject recycling assembly 206 (and so on, as needed).

[00100] Polishing assembly (e.g., polishing assembly 300).

[00101] As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more polishing assemblies (e.g., polishing assembly 300). The polishing assembly 300 may include one or more reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, or the like. Example reverse osmosis membranes may include seawater RO membranes or counterflow RO membranes, such as those by FilmTec, Hydranautics, GE Osmonics, Toray Membrane, or other suitable RO membranes. As described herein, counterflow RO membranes are configured to reduce the required hydraulic pressure of an osmotic process by introducing a sweep stream to a permeate side of the membrane.

[00102] For example, the polishing assembly 300 may include a reverse osmosis membrane, or the like, which receives the treated wastewater (first permeate) from the membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) and provides (or outputs) a further treated wastewater (a second permeate, as further described in the present disclosure). As another example, the polishing assembly 300 may include a plurality of reverse osmosis membranes, or the like, fluidly connected in series and/or in parallel within one or more pressure vessels.

[00103] In an example embodiment, the polishing assembly 300 is configurable or configured to receive the first permeate (e.g., treated wastewater from the membrane filtration assembly 104, etc.). The polishing assembly 300 is then configurable or configured to separate the first permeate into at least a second reject and a second permeate (or second effluent). For example, solids and/or constituents of and/or within the first permeate (which may include, but are not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, silicon dioxide, ammonia, phosphorous, and/or transition metals such as manganese, aluminum, iron, zinc, nickel, etc.) may be separated by the polishing assembly 300 as the second reject and provided to one or more second reject recycling assemblies 206, which are connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the polishing assembly 300. The remaining liquid of the first permeate may be separated by the polishing assembly 300 as the second permeate (or second effluent).

[00104] It is to be understood that the system 106 may include one or more additional "stages" of polishing assemblies 300 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration), which may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned polishing assembly 300 (referred to as the first stage polishing assembly 300), without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, after the first stage polishing assembly 300 provides a first stage second permeate (after reject separation), such first stage second permeate may be provided into another first stage polishing assembly 300 (e.g., a second stage polishing assembly 300) to further separate rejects from it. The liquids resulting from such second stage polishing assembly 300 may be further provided to a third stage polishing assembly 300 (and so on, as needed). In such examples, each polishing assembly 300 (e.g., second stage polishing assembly 300, third stage polishing assembly 300, etc.) may also include one or more second reject recycling assemblies 206, as described below and in the present disclosure.

[00105] Second reject recycling assembly (e.g., second reject recycling assembly 206). [00106] In an example embodiment, the system 106 for managing wastewater includes one or more second reject recycling assemblies (e.g., second reject recycling assembly 206). As illustrated in Figure 3, the second reject recycling assembly 206 is connected to, in communication with, and/or downstream of the polishing assembly 300. The second reject recycling assembly 206 is configurable or configured to separate residual liquids from the second reject into a second reject liquid and a second final reject, and return the second reject liquid to the polishing assembly 300 and/or membrane filtration assembly 104 (and/or one or more other elements of the system 106) for further processing. The second final reject is then discharged. Example second reject recycling assemblies may include the use of a series of conduits, valves, and a high pressure pump.

[00107] In an example embodiment, one or more additional "stages" of second reject recycling assemblies 206 (e.g., back-to-back configurations, or a serial configuration) may be provided downstream of the above-mentioned second reject recycling assembly 206 (referred to as the first stage second reject recycling assembly 206). For example, after the first stage second reject recycling assembly 206 provides a first stage second reject (after liquid separation), such first stage second reject may be provided into another second reject recycling assembly 206 (e.g., a second stage second reject recycling assembly 206) to further separate residual liquids from it. Any residual liquids separated from such first stage second reject by the second stage second reject recycling assembly 206 may be returned to the membrane filtration assembly 104, and a second stage second reject (after the second liquid separation) may be further provided to a third stage second reject recycling assembly 206 (and so on, as needed).

[00108] Example of a system and method for managing wastewater. [00109] Bench testing was performed based on example embodiments of the system 106 and methods described above and in the present disclosure. The testing included preparing synthetic mining process wastewater, selection of antiscalant and polymer dispersant combinations, and testing antiscalant compatibility. About 1,500 liters of synthetic wastewater with various chemical salts was prepared in a feed tank (see Table 1). The synthetic wastewater was fed through an example embodiment of the inlet assembly 100 (e.g., see Figures 1-3) into an example embodiment of the treatment assembly 102; a combination of antiscalant and polymer dispersant was introduced into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly 102 to arrive at pre-treated wastewater; and the pre-treated wastewater driven through the cartridge assembly 202 to remove particulate matter. The pre-treated wastewater was then passed through the membrane filtration assembly 104 having six NF membranes in a series configuration using a high-pressure pump operated at about than 1,500 psi. As the treated wastewater passed through each NF membrane, first rejects were collected while first permeates flowed on to the next NF membrane. The resulting first permeates were then processed by an example embodiment of the polishing assembly 300.

[00110] Several trials were conducted with loose NF membranes (NF270) and tight NF membranes (NF90) in a 2.5 inch membrane test unit, and the polishing assembly 300 included seawater RO membrane Kenseen in a 2.5 inch membrane test unit and counterflow RO membrane Toyobo in a micromodule unit.

[00111] The water recovery levels, operating flux, permeate conductivity and salt rejection rate, and temperature were measured after each membrane processing stage (loose NF membranes, tight NF membranes, seawater RO membrane, and counterflow RO membrane) (see Table 2). The permeate quality in terms of the amounts of various elements and transition metals and total dissolved solids (TDS) was also measured after the loose NF membranes stage, tight NF membranes stage, and seawater RO membranes stage (see Table 3).

[00112] Successful combinations of 1 to 300mg of antiscalants and 1 to 100 mg of polymer dispersants per liter of wastewater include having antiscalants comprising organic phosphonates which may be in mixture with inorganic phosphonates, and/or low molecular weight polymer dispersant comprising polymers derived from unsaturated monomers bearing one or more of the following functionalities: carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and their respective salts.

[00113] Table 1. The composition of synthetic wastewater prepared in the feed tank.

[00114] Table 2. Water recovery levels, flux, and temperature after each membrane processing stage.

[00115] Table 3. The permeate quality in terms of the amounts of various elements and transition metals and TDS after the loose NF membranes stage, tight NF membranes stage, and seawater RO membrane stage.

[00116] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/393,186, filed July 28, 2022, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Managing Wastewater,” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. [00117] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that several of the above-disclosed structures, parameters, or processes thereof, can be desirably modified, adapted, and combined into alternative structures, processes and/or applications. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the claims.

[00118] Various terms used herein have special meanings within the present technical field. Whether a particular term should be construed as such a "term of art" depends on the context in which that term is used. Terms are to be construed in light of the context in which they are used in the present disclosure and as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand those terms in the disclosed context. Definitions provided herein are not exclusive of other meanings that might be imparted to those terms based on the disclosed context.

[00119] Words of comparison, measurement, and timing such as "at the time", "equivalent", "during", "complete", and the like should be understood to mean "substantially at the time", "substantially equivalent", "substantially during", "substantially complete", etc., where "substantially" means that such comparisons, measurements, and timings are practicable to accomplish the implicitly or expressly stated desired result.

[00120] Additionally, the section headings and topic headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under various patent regulations and practice, or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the embodiments set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, a description of a technology in the "Background" is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any embodiments in this disclosure. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention" in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for managing wastewater, the system comprising: an inlet assembly, the inlet assembly configured to receive wastewater; a treatment assembly, the treatment assembly including: a main housing, the main housing connected to the inlet assembly, the main housing configured to house wastewater received from the inlet assembly; and an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source connected to the main housing, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source configured to selectively provide an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant into the wastewater housed in the main housing so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater; and a membrane filtration assembly, the membrane filtration assembly including at least one of the following: a nanofiltration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane; wherein the at least one of the nanofiltration membrane and reverse osmosis membrane are configured to receive the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly and separate the pretreated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a polishing assembly, the polishing assembly including a reverse osmosis membrane, the reverse osmosis membrane configured to receive the first permeate from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first permeate into a second reject and a second permeate.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: the reverse osmosis membrane of the polishing assembly includes at least one of the following: a seawater reverse osmosis membrane and a counterflow reverse osmosis membrane.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first reject recycling assembly, the first reject recycling assembly configured to receive the first reject from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject; wherein the first reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly.

5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: a second reject recycling assembly, the second reject recycling assembly configured to receive the second reject from the polishing assembly and separate the second reject into a second reject liquid and a second final reject; wherein the second reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the second reject liquid to the polishing assembly.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a pre-filtration assembly, the pre-filtration assembly configured to receive wastewater from the inlet assembly, the pre-filtration assembly including a pre-filtration filter configured to perform a pre-filtration of the wastewater and provide the pre-filtered wastewater to the treatment assembly.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the pre-filtration assembly includes an ultrafiltration membrane.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly configured to receive pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge filter configured to further remove particulates from the pre-treated wastewater and provide the further filtered pre-treated wastewater to the membrane filtration assembly.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following apply: an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly; and a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly.

10. A system for managing wastewater, the system comprising: a treatment assembly, the treatment assembly including: a main housing, the main housing configured to house wastewater; and an antiscalant and polymer dispersant source, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source connected to the main housing, the antiscalant and polymer dispersant source configured to selectively provide at least one of the following into the wastewater housed in the main housing so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater: an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant; a membrane filtration assembly, the membrane filtration assembly configured to receive the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly and separate the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate; a first reject recycling assembly, the first reject recycling assembly configured to receive the first reject from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject, wherein the first reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly; a polishing assembly, the polishing assembly including a reverse osmosis membrane, the reverse osmosis membrane configured to receive the first permeate from the membrane filtration assembly and separate the first permeate into a second reject and a second permeate; a second reject recycling assembly, the second reject recycling assembly configured to receive the second reject from the polishing assembly and separate the second reject into a second reject liquid and a second final reject, wherein the second reject recycling assembly is further configured to provide the second reject liquid to the polishing assembly.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: the membrane filtration assembly includes at least one of the following: a nanofiltration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein: the reverse osmosis membrane of the polishing assembly includes at least one of the following: a seawater reverse osmosis membrane and a counterflow reverse osmosis membrane.

13. The system according to claim 10, further comprising: a pre-filtration assembly, the pre-filtration assembly configured to receive wastewater from the inlet assembly, the pre-filtration assembly including a pre-filtration filter configured to perform a pre-filtration of the wastewater and provide the pre-filtered wastewater to the treatment assembly.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein: the pre-filtration assembly includes an ultrafiltration membrane.

15. The system according to claim 10, further comprising: a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly configured to receive pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly, the cartridge assembly including a cartridge filter configured to further remove particulates from the pre-treated wastewater and provide the further filtered pre-treated wastewater to the membrane filtration assembly.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the following apply: an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly; and a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the main housing of the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the main housing of the treatment assembly.

17. A method for managing wastewater, the method comprising: receiving, by an inlet assembly, wastewater; housing, in a treatment assembly, the received wastewater; selectively providing, by the treatment assembly, at least one of the following into the wastewater so as to arrive at a pre-treated wastewater: an antiscalant and a polymer dispersant; separating, by a membrane filtration assembly, the pre-treated wastewater into a first reject and a first permeate, the separating including applying at least one of the following: a nanofiltration process and a reverse osmosis process.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by a polishing assembly, the first permeate from the membrane filtration assembly; and separating, by the polishing assembly, the first permeate into a second reject and a second permeate.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: the separating, by the polishing assembly, includes applying at least one of the following: a seawater reverse osmosis process and a counterflow reverse osmosis process.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by a first reject recycling assembly, the first reject from the membrane filtration assembly; separating, by the first reject recycling assembly, the first reject into a first reject liquid and a first final reject; and providing, by the first reject recycling assembly, the first reject liquid to the membrane filtration assembly.

21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: receiving, by a second reject recycling assembly, the second reject from the polishing assembly; separating, by the second reject recycling assembly, the second reject into a second reject liquid and a second final reject; and providing, by the second reject recycling assembly, the second reject liquid to the polishing assembly.

22. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by a pre-filtration assembly, wastewater from the inlet assembly; performing, by the pre-filtration assembly, a pre-filtration of the wastewater; and providing, by the pre-filtration assembly, the pre-filtered wastewater to the treatment assembly.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: the pre-filtration assembly includes an ultrafiltration membrane.

24. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by a cartridge assembly, the pre-treated wastewater from the treatment assembly; removing, by the cartridge assembly, particulates from the pre-treated wastewater; and providing, by the cartridge assembly, the further filtered pre-treated wastewater to the membrane filtration assembly.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the following apply: an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the treatment assembly; a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing into the treatment assembly; an amount of the antiscalant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the treatment assembly; an amount of the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the treatment assembly; and a ratio of the antiscalant to the polymer dispersant provided into the wastewater housed in the treatment assembly is determined based on a volume of the wastewater flowing out of the treatment assembly.