Reverse osmosis desalination of QNI Yabulu Nickel Refinery wastewater for reuse

Queensland Nickel Pty Limited commissioned a water recycling facility incorporating microfiltration and reverse osmosis to treat wastewater from its Yabulu Nickel Refinery in North Queensland. Used process waters are brackish and unsuitable for reuse in the refinery. They have traditionally been stored in tailings ponds for evaporation, or discharged to sea under environmental authority. The development has demonstrated the potential for large-scale industrial desalination plants by recycling wastewater for reuse in the plant. By recycling this 12 ML/day waste stream, the refinery's new water input has been reduced by 40%. The utilisation of electro-magnetic anti-scaling technology in the reverse osmosis system is also discussed. No anti-scalant chemicals are used in the process.