IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF WATER DEMINERALIZATION USING MAGNETICALLY ACTIVATED ION EXCHANGE

Abstract

The process of demineralization of natural water, which is used to obtain high-purity water, has a number of environmental risks associated with the use of chemicals, the formation of concentrated wastewater, and energy consumption. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis, which are the main methods of demineralization, involve the use of significant amounts of reagents such as acids, alkalis, and regeneration solutions. Their improper disposal or leakage can cause contamination of soil and aquatic ecosystems, altering the natural chemical balance. Demineralization produces highly mineralized wastewater (concentrates) containing significant amounts of removed salts and impurities. Discharging them into natural water bodies without proper treatment can lead to an increase in osmotic pressure in the aquatic environment, which negatively affects aquatic organisms, causing their dehydration or death.