This study evaluates the effectiveness of a phosphorus-free, biodegradable anti-scaling agent and cleaning products that do not contain EDTA or phosphorus for the treatment of a real industrial effluent reuse plant consisting of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. The treatment applied has resulted in sustainable management with increased reuse, savings in water consumption, reduced discharge and environmental impact without contributing to eutrophication.

This sustainable treatment of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis plants for reuse using a phosphorus-free and biodegradable anti-scalant and cleaning products that do not contain EDTA or phosphorus allows for:

• Increase ultrafiltration performance, extending the operating time at optimum performance and reducing the frequency of chemical maintenance and recovery cleaning.
• Increase reverse osmosis performance by preventing scale formation.
• Reduce energy consumption and costs by operating at a lower feed pressure in reverse osmosis.
• Reduce the carbon footprint by decreasing CO_₂ emissions.
• Increase the flow of high-quality reclaimed water for reuse.
• Significant savings in water supply by using alternative sources.
• Minimise downtime at the reverse osmosis plant due to chemical cleaning, reducing the costs associated with downtime and chemical consumption.
• Extend the service life of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, reducing the costs associated with membrane replacement.
• Reduce discharges and minimise environmental impact without contributing to eutrophication.