Management of spent brines or osmotic solutions

Spent brines or osmotic solutions are, in general, wastewaters heavily polluted with suspended solids and either inorganic or organic dissolved matter. The possibilities of introducing salt-free or reduced salt processes as well as segregating brines or osmotic solutions from current processes from the general drainage systems should always be considered. The paper especially describes the steps followed during the development of the regeneration treatments with active carbon and ultrafiltration for the fermentation brines of Spanish-style green table olives. Similar methodology might be used in the regeneration of other osmotic solutions. System for brine elimination (evaporation ponds, injection in deep wells, multi-stage evaporation, co-generation, etc.), and results of physico-chemical and biological treatments of wastewaters (including brines) from the table olive industry are also commented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.