The removal of boron from industrial and groundwater is a crucial process for complying with regulatory limits and ensuring water quality for reuse or discharge into the environment. The choice of removal method depends on the initial concentration of boron in the water to be treated, with different solutions for low and high concentrations.

Treatment of water with low boron concentrations
For water with low boron levels, one of the most effective methods is the use of selective ion-exchange resins, designed to remove borate ions preferentially. Once exhausted, these resins are regenerated, producing concentrated boron eluates. Regeneration can be optimised using membrane technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or electrodialysis (ED), which reduce the volume of the regenerant, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process.
After the eluates have been concentrated, the residual boron is removed by chemical precipitation, a process that uses reagents such as calcium hydroxide or calcium sulphate to form easily separable insoluble compounds. This method ensures an effective reduction in final concentrations, enabling compliance with regulatory limits.

Treatment of water with high boron concentrations
For wastewater with high boron concentrations, pre-treatment using membrane technologies, such as nanofiltration (NF) or high-pressure reverse osmosis, is required to concentrate the boron and reduce the volume of the liquid to be treated.
This is followed by chemical precipitation, using alkaline solutions or specific reagents that facilitate the removal of boron in the form of insoluble precipitates. This step achieves high removal efficiencies, reducing the boron content to levels acceptable for reuse or discharge.
The integration of membrane technologies with chemical precipitation represents an efficient and sustainable solution for the treatment of boron-contaminated water, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and reducing operating costs.