Desalination by RO creates concentrated brine, which is then released into sea back. This causes environment problems. Why cant we use this brine for other process like salt harvesting etc, which requires brine?

Question

Recently I watched these videos which explains the negative impact of releasing concentrated Brine produced from RO Desalination plants back into Ocean.

1. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfr82RB72U8&ab_channel=CNBC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfr82RB72U8&ab_channel=CNBC)
2. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdFIHecZDfc&ab_channel=TerraMater](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdFIHecZDfc&ab_channel=TerraMater)

This got me thinking why can’t we use this brine in an commercial beneficial way, given that there are several industrial process that uses Brine as raw material. On top of my head I could think of Salt production, Caustic Soda production etc., Why is brine not used commercially? And what are the challenges and is there a solution?

In: Technology

Answer 1

You may have to also purify the salt as there is a lot more in seawater than just salt and water. Not sure if the trace amounts of other minerals and sea creatures would be harmful if you tried to make some homemade sea salt