Reverse Osmosis Separation of Thiosalts from Mining Effluents

Abstract Cellulose acetate membranes were characterized in terms of pure water permeability constant, solute transport parameter, and mass transfer coefficient with a reference system of aqueous sodium chloride solution. Reverse osmosis separation behavior of sulfate, thiosulfate, dithionate, trithionate, and tetra-thionate was studied. Plant effluents containing various thiosalts and metal ions were subjected to reverse osmosis at 300 psig, and product water of suitable quality for use in recycle operations was obtained.