State-of-the-art review on post-treatment technologies

Desalinated waters are poor in minerals thus, a certain degree of re-mineralization is essential so as to make the water palatable and non-corrosive as well as to meet health requirement. Selection of re-mineralization process is determined by regulatory water quality standards. This review summarizes alternative post-treatment practices aimed to introduce calcium, carbonate alkalinity and magnesium to desalinated water with emphasis on kinetic design models. Among the methods discussed are: blending with source water, direct dosage of chemicals, limestone, dolomite and magnesium oxide dissolution, ion exchange and a novel micronized limestone dissolution process. Finally, cost evaluations of various re-mineralization alternatives are presented.