Technology for salt brines utilization on distant pastures in the arid zone of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

The aim of the research is to develop technology for integrated treatment of surface, underground and mineralized waters, collected by drainage network contaminated by pollutants, to produce both water of the required quality and saturated brines. During experiments the main task was to select and reveal the optimum mode of desalination of initially mineralized ground water belonging to a certain type. The operation mode of reverse osmosis system was selected by gradual change of pressure and change of permeate and concentrate volume ratio (%), parameters of desalination regime change (flow rate, pressure, salt output) were recorded in time. The research was conducted in Zhambyl region, located in the southern part of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2021. Each operation stage of changing desalination regime lasted for 50 hours, while non-stop work being performed. The tests of reverse osmosis system with natural ground waters of sulphate-chloride-sodium and sulphate-carbonate-sodium types revealed quite reliable and stable desalination regime under changing flow discharge and permeate and concentrate volumes ratios and multiple initial water concentrations. Application of the proposed technological scheme will allow providing the good quality drinking water for shepherd brigades on summer distant pastures and further utilization of salt brines (concentrated waste waters, remained after desalination) in a safe for the environment manner.