Treatment of a Jordanian Phosphate Mine Wastewater by Hybrid Dissolved Air Flotation and Nanofiltration

Approximately 10,000?m3/day of untreated wastewater is produced during phosphate beneficiation at Eshydia phosphate mine in southern Jordan. The effluent contains 21?wt% phosphates (P₂O₅) and 12–14?wt% solids. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and subsequent nanofiltration (NF) were investigated as potential treatment methods. DAF combined with the use of a commercial flocculant effectively removed the suspended solids and decreased total dissolved solids (TDS) by 50?%; NF effectively treated the DAF effluent and produced water with only 860?ppm TDS. The treated water can be recycled for use by Eshydia phosphate mine or for irrigation.