A recently developed membrane that is used to separate waste from water could become key in the treatment of pollutants ranging from acid mine drainage (AMD) to oil-containing wastewater, as well as in processes ranging from desalination to kidney dialysis.
The technology, which was developed by a team of researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in collaboration with the North American Space Agency, would enable the filtering of pure water from waste produced during mining, oil and gas exploration and production, and nuclear exploration.
Wits School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering head and product codeveloper Professor Sunny Iyuke explained that the membrane module was similar to a household water filter and could be used to catch wastewater from mines before it entered drains or the water table.
“Water flow analytics could be used to track the direction and location of any escaped wastewater, where another membrane module, in the form of a borehole, could be stationed,” he said.
The nanocomposite membrane produced a smaller amount of concentrated waste, as well as drinkable water.
The waste could be reused as a preservative for wood and leather, ammunitions manufacturing and pest control.
Wits hoped to develop a commercial product in the near future, and had plans to enter the US market, as that country faced challenges with contaminants such as arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals in its water.