• brine
• desalination
• economical evaluation
• electrodialysis reversal
• membrane
• plant design
• reverse osmosis
• ultimate project
• ultrafiltration
• wastewater reuse
• water

This thesis work was born as a proposed case study for the EU Ultimate project, which has the
ambitious plan to create economic value and increase sustainability by valorizing resources within
the water cycle. In line with this, wastewater plays a key role since it can be reclaimed in many
applications (i.e. agricultural, industrial or carrier for energy). With the promising concept called
“Water Smart Industrial Symbiosis”, the project promotes recycling in various industrial settings.
Regarding this thesis, an example for this symbiosis could be realized reusing the effluent from
Aretusa Consortium (Italy) wastewater treatment plant as make-up water in Solvay cooling towers,
mainly by reducing chlorides concentration and electrical conductivity.
In order to achieve this purpose, an advanced desalination technology could be required. After a
detailed bibliographic research, two technologies (UF/RO and EDR) were selected, as the most
suitable for this case study. Thus, a feasibility analysis was carried out basing on economic and
design aspects, using mathematical models and specific design softwares. However, some
experimental tests are strongly recommended to check the obtained results for a better evaluation.
The high environmental and economic value resulting from the idea underlying this project well
represents the concept of circular economy which nowadays is a fundamental guideline for social
and industrial policy choices. Anyway, the proposed industrial symbiosis requires high investment
costs: the feasibility analysis has to take into account a tradeoff between the environmental
advantages and the high costs.
The recovered water, which would otherwise have been discharged into the sea, becomes a precious
resource.