Abstract

VILLEGAS-MENDOZA, Iván Emmanuel et al. Remineralización de agua osmotizada mediante un contactor de calcita de flujo continuo ascendente. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.3, pp.277-308.  Epub June 10, 2024. ISSN 2007-2422.  https://doi.org/10.24850/j-tyca-2020-03-08.

In this work, the influence of the flow velocity, contact time and pH in the process of remineralization of osmotized water was evaluated by means a pilot contactor of calcite to continuous flow to produce drinking water. Water from a Mexican seawater desalination plant that lacks post-treatment (remineralization) was used. The experimental tests were carried out by designing and building a contactor of calcite of variable height adjusting pH of the influent by adding sulfuric acid.

The study ranges evaluated the following: flow rate, 4-8 m h-1; hydraulic residence time, 10-30 min, and pH 3 to 6. An experimental 2k design was implemented, in which the response variable was the Langelier saturation index. The results showed for the three parameters evaluated, that only the pH of the influent had a statistical significance, with the optimum being pH = 3. The quality of the remineralized water complied with the Israeli regulation of mineral content for drinking water.

The results showed the desirability of designing calcite contactors with a flow velocity of 8 m h-1 and 10 minutes of hydraulic residence time, to reduce investment costs. These conditions make it possible to design more compact contactors without affecting the efficiency of the process. The operating cost of the process was calculated at $ 0.04 USD m-3.

Keywords : Remineralization; desalinated water; calcite contactor.