The Biological Treatment of Brines

The Biological Treatment of Brines assessed the use of Mintek’s cloSURE® biological sulphate reduction process to treat hypersaline reverse osmosis brine generated by the eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant. The study demonstrated, at bench scale, that biological sulphate reduction can be sustained under high-salinity brine conditions, offering a potential alternative to evaporation ponds for managing coal mine brine waste. It provides proof of concept and design parameters for future pilot-scale testing, while also highlighting the need for further work on hydrogen sulphide management, calcium removal and potential value recovery from treated brines.