Sustainable desalination plant and sustainable method for the treatment of water

Abstract

A self-sustainable process and system for treating water wherein the process comprises (a) dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; (b) feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; (c) feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

Description

[0001] Sustainable Desalination Plant and Sustainable Method for the treatment of Water

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a more environmentally sustainable treatment of water. The present invention also relates generally to a more environmentally sustainable production of desalinated water and to a sustainable desalination plant. More specifically, the present invention also relates to a more environmentally sustainable treatment of water.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Desalination is a process that removes mineral components from sea water to provide water that is suitable for human consumption or irrigation. The by-product of the desalination process is brine, a super concentrated solution. A conventional seawater desalination plant delivers sea water, via an intake channel, through various pre-treatment sites such as filters before being pumped under pressure through multiple reverse osmosis passes to form desalinated product water and concentrated sea water or brine. During this process, other minerals in addition to salt are removed from the water which must be re-introduced to provide an acceptable product water and therefore the water is also subjected to posttreatments, such as pH adjustment and the addition of minerals such as magnesium before being held in a holding tank for later consumption. The brine may be discharged back into the sea via a discharge channel or subjected to a further desalination process to create additional product water.

[0006] Drinking water that leaves the desalination plant must have a certain concentration of minerals. Generally, the required minerals are purchased, delivered to the plant, and added to the reverse osmosis product in the final remineralization treatment stage of the desalination plant. The purchase and delivery of the chemicals make the operation problematic especially in places where those chemicals are unavailable. In addition, delivery / transportation of chemicals affects the environment, increasing the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. It is desirable to be able to produce the required chemicals onsite as this would significantly improve the sustainability of the desalination plant. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved desalination process and system that aims to address this issue.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is one object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0023] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

[0029] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0030] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0031] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0032] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0033] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0034] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0035] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0036] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0037] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0038] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0039] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0040] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0041] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0042] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0043] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0044] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0045] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0046] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0047] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0048] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0049] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0050] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0051] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0052] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0053] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0054] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0055] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0056] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0057] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0058] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0059] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0060] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0061] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0062] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0063] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0064] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0065] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0066] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0067] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0068] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0069] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0070] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0071] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0072] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

[0073] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0074] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0075] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0076] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0077] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0078] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0079] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0080] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0081] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0082] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0083] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0084] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0085] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0086] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0087] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0088] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0089] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0090] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0091] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0092] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0093] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0094] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

[0095] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0096] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0097] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0098] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used

[0099] To at least partially treating at least one second fluid by: dosing at least a portion of at least one first fluid with said portion of said acid stream, thereby lowering the pH of said a portion of a first fluid and providing acidified first fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified first fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of a second fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0100] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0101] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0102] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0103] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0104] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a first fluid with at least one acid is according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0105] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0106] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0107] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0108] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0109] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0110] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0111] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0112] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0113] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0114] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0115] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

[0116] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

[0117] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

[0118] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

[0119] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0120] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, additionally comprising: at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0121] It is one object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0122] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0123] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0124] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and combination thereof.

[0125] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0126] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0127] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0128] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0129] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0130] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one bipolar electrodialysis membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0131] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0132] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0133] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0134] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0135] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0136] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0137] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0138] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0139] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0140] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

[0141] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0142] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0143] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0144] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0145] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0146] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0147] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0148] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0149] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0150] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0151] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0152] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0153] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0154] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0155] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0156] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0157] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0158] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0159] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0160] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2;; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0161] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0162] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0163] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0164] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0165] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0166] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0167] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0168] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0169] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0170] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0171] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0172] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0173] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0174] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0175] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0176] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0177] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0178] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0179] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0180] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising:

[0181] T1 at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

[0182] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0183] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0184] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0185] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0186] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0187] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0188] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0189] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0190] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0191] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0192] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0193] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0194] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0195] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0196] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0197] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0198] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0199] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0200] It is lastly an object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0201] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0202] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0203] Figures 2a-2b are schematic diagrams illustrating the process utilizing BMED membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0204] Figure 3a is schematic a diagram illustrating the process utilizing a fluidized bed reactor to precipitate Calcium Carbonate according to an embodiment of the present invention; where Figure 3a illustrates the use of seawater or seawater brine before or after Reverse Osmosis process.

[0205] Figure 3b illustrates the use of seawater or seawater brine before or after Reverse Osmosis process, where Magnesium-based compound is precipitated (instead or in addition to Calcium-based compound).

[0206] Figures 4a-4b are schematic diagrams illustrating the process utilizing remineralization reactor membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0207] Figures 5-6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of treating fluids (water) utilizing the embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, Figures 5-6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of desalination of water utilizing the embodiments of the present invention.

[0208] Detailed Description Of The Invention

[0209] The present invention is concerned with improving a sea water desalination process and plant by increasing their sustainability. This is achieved by several modules integrated within the process: (a) enriching (saturation) the permeate water with CO2 (by acidifying the seawater brine and feeding the same to a pervaporation membrane (or any other means that facilitate passage of gasses therethrough the membrane) while feeding a permeate stream thereto as well; and, (b) self-generation of most of the chemicals used in the desalination process / plant, thus reducing the need to deliver chemicals to the plant. Pervaporation is a membrane separation operation that can separate liquid mixtures. The separation of substances is realized through the difference between diffusion and adsorption. Pervaporation is mainly used in the recovery of organic solvents in wastewater / seawater brine, which makes the hydrophobicity, selectivity, permeability and stability of the pervaporation membrane especially significant.

[0210] Thus, pervaporation membrane can be used to extract minerals / organics from wastewater / seawater brine and enrich the permeate therewith. However, as noted above, any other technology can be used to facilitate separation of gases from liquids.

[0211] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0212] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

[0213] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2;; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0214] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

[0215] The invention also allows the production of the required chemicals onsite without the need to purchase and deliver the chemicals to the plant. The chemicals required for remineralization may vary from plant to plant and can be (1) calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide; and / or (2) calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide. In addition, magnesium hydroxide may also be required and self-produced. The ability to provide onsite production of these chemicals provides (1) high availability of the plant to the chemicals needed for its operations; and (2) an environmentally friendly approach. As the chemicals are self-produced, no need for the transportation is needed. This saves the costs of transportation as well as the alternations in the availability of the chemicals. Sometimes there is no availability of the chemicals or there is no availability of the transportation of the chemicals to their destination (the desalination plant).

[0216] Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, at least one first fluid (e.g., Reverse Osmosis, RO, membrane permeate fluid) is enriched with CO2 by the process of:

[0217] (a) at least a portion of at least one second fluid (e.g., RO brine fluids) is dozed with at least one agent (e.g., HCI acid, H2SO4acid or any other type of acid that is not harmful) adapted to lower the pH of at least a portion of said second fluid. Thus, any Bicarbonate ions are converted into carbonate acid, which in turn converted into water and carbon dioxide as in the following formula:

[0218] HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2 thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2;

[0219] (b) feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane (e.g., pervaporation membrane);

[0220] (c) feeding at least a portion of said first fluid (e.g., permeate stream) to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby CO2 is transferred through the membrane (e.g., pervaporation membrane) from the second to the first fluid and thereby producing at least one first fluid (e.g., permeate stream) saturated with CO2 and at least one brine stream (essentially, the second fluids when CO2 are extracted therefrom).

[0221] The brine stream (exits from the pervaporation membrane) can be either disposed to the sea or can, alternatively, be recirculated back to an RO membrane for production of further permeate fluids. This depends on the salt concentration thereof. Should it be suitable for entering into RO membrane for permeate water production - the same will be recirculated; alternatively, should the sale concentration be higher than possible by reverse osmosis, the same would be disposed of (e.g. to the sea).

[0222] The permeate saturated with C02 can be delivered directly to the post-treatment (e.g., to remineralization reactor) to produce the final product (drinking water).

[0223] According to one embodiment of the present invention the acid required for acidifying the second fluid is in-situ prepared. Alternatively, it can be delivered from an external source.

[0224] When the acid and base preparation are in-situ / onsite prepared. A designated stage is utilized for the preparation thereof. According to which hydrochloric acid (as required and detailed above) and sodium hydroxide are prepared. Various methods may be used to produce these chemicals on site from sea water or brine. One option is preparation thereof by using electrodialysis with Bipolar Membranes ElectroDyalisys (BMED) or Bipolar Electrodialysis Membranes, BPED.

[0225] Reference is now made to Figure 2a illustrating such an embodiment. According to which salt solution / seawater brine are introduced to the BMED membrane to generate at least one acid stream (e.g., HCI), at least one base stream (NaOH) and at least one salt solution / seawater brine.

[0226] As noted above, the acid stream generated by the BMED is used to acidify the second fluid (seawater brine) entering the pervaporation membrane (as disclosed in Figure 1).

[0227] Alternatively, or additionally, the acid provided by the BMED can be used for the 2ndpass to treat water with high concentration of e.g., Boron, Silica etc (to e.g., reduce scaling potential of Calcium carbonate and Magnesium hydroxide on RO membrane).

[0228] The base stream generated by the BMED can be used to precipitate Calcium based composition (e.g., CaCO3, as will be discussed hereinbelow); OR in the post treatment; OR it can be used for the 2ndpass to treat water with high concentration of e.g., Boron, Silica etc (to e.g., improve the rejection of boron). Seawater or seawater brine (or even just a salt solution) should be treated before entrance to the BMED in order to meet the BMED feed water quality requirement. E.g., to meet the requirement of salt concentration of 4%-15%. Thus, before entrance to the BMED, softening of the fluids and concentrating the same is required.

[0229] Thus, according to one embodiment, the seawater or seawater brine (or even just a salt solution that comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of sodium chloride (NaCI), Na2SO4 and any combination thereof) should be treated to meet EDBM feed water quality requirement.

[0230] The softening could be provided by means of NF / lon exchange.

[0231] The concentring of the salts could be provided by Brine concentrator module, e.g., OARO, adapted to concentrate the fluids to the concentration required by the BMED.

[0232] In other words, as illustrated in the figures (Figures 2a-2b) seawater and / or brine concentrate are first treated with NF membrane to produce a NF brine and NF product (containing NaCI). The NF product (containing NaCI) is a softened fluid that is then transferred to the EDBM to produce hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0233] Alternatively, the NF softened product is then fed to a brine concentrator (e.g., OARO) to be further concentrated. The brine of the brine concentrator (the concentrate) is then fed to the BMED.

[0234] Thus, the first step is softening the seawater and / or RO brine concentrate. In this stage, seawater and / or brine concentrate are first treated with NF membrane to produce a NF brine and NF product (containing NaCI). The NF product (containing NaCI) is then transferred to the BMED to produce hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0235] Alternatively, ion exchange, IX reactor can be used in addition to / or instead of the NF.

[0236] Next, the softened NF product is further concentrated by any brine concentrator means or osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, membrane (or any brine concentrator means) can be used in addition to / or instead of / or before the NF / IX. Any excess sodium chloride solution remaining post the NF / ion exchange, IX , osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO can be utilized for hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide preparation.

[0237] The water (post the BEMD) can be used as feed to an RO membrane for permeate water production or can be disposed (e.g., to the sea).

[0238] Reference is now made to fig. 2b illustrating an example of treatment process to treat the seawater / sweater brine / salt solution before entering to the BMED.

[0239] As seen in the figure, the first step is softening the seawater and / or RO brine concentrate (or salt solution). In this stage, seawater and / or brine concentrate are first treated with NF membrane to produce a NF brine and NF product (containing NaCI). The NF product (containing NaCI) could be then transferred to the BMED to produce hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0240] Alternatively, ion exchange, IX reactor can be used in addition to / or instead of the NF. Alternatively, any brine concentrator means or osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, membrane (or any brine concentrator means) can be used in addition to / or instead of the NF.

[0241] As shown in the fig. 2b, post the NF treatment, brine concentration module is used (e.g., OARO). The brine concentration module is adapted to concentrate the fluids to the required concentration as required by the BMED (5-15% concentration).

[0242] As described above, seawater or seawater brine (or even just a salt solution) should be treated before entrance to the BMED in order to meet the BMED feed water quality requirement. E.g., to meet the requirement of salt concentration of 4%-15%. Thus, before entrance to the BMED, softening of the fluids and concentrating the same is required.

[0243] Thus, according to one embodiment, the seawater or seawater brine (or even just a salt solution that comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of sodium chloride (NaCI), Na2SO4 and any combination thereof) should be treated to meet EDBM feed water quality requirement. The softening could be provided by means of NF / lon exchange.

[0244] The concentring of the salts could be provided by Brine concentrator module, e.g., OARO.

[0245] In other words, as illustrated in the figures (Figures 2a-2b) seawater and / or brine concentrate are first treated with NF membrane to produce a NF brine and NF product (containing NaCI). The NF product (containing NaCI) is a softened fluid that is then transferred to the EDBM to produce hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

[0246] Alternatively, the NF softened product is then fed to a brine concentrator (e.g., OARO) to be further concentrated. The brine of the brine concentrator (the concentrate) is then fed to the BMED.

[0247] Sometimes, the solution will contain calcium residuals which must be removed, for example in a calcium removal / polishing unit. Carbon dioxide may be added to precipitate calcium carbonate, providing a pure sodium chloride solution. This is then fed through bipolar membranes (BMED) to split the solution into the acid (hydrochloric acid, HCI) and the base (sodium hydroxide, NaOH).

[0248] Reference is now made to Figures 3a-3b illustrating another embodiment of the present invention utilizing a pellet reactor / fluidize bed reactor, FBR reactor.

[0249] According to this embodiment, the base, NaOH, produced by the BMED is introduced into the FBR reactor while at least one selected from seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition (e.g., CaCO3).

[0250] Thus, according to this embodiment, the fluids (seawater / brine / wastewater etc.) are passed through the precipitation unit (such as a fluidized bed reactor). Optionally, the filtered water may then be delivered to a clearwell. Calcium hydroxide and\or NaOH is introduced into the precipitation unit raising the pH of the water to at least 8.3 or higher and precipitating out calcium carbonate (and, optionally, magnesium hydroxide), according to the following equation:

[0251] It should be noted that the NaOH that can be added to the precipitation unit (such as a fluidized bed reactor), can be, according to one embodiment, the NaOH produced by the BMED.

[0252] This stage leads to operating at a higher pH, converts part of the biocarbonates to carbonates and increases the saturation potential of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. In turn, this leads to better biofouling resistance, better boron rejection and enables post treatment reactors to be free from calcium carbonate reactors and perhaps render any second pass (adapted to treat boron removal) redundant. Instead, according to the present invention, the post treatment reactors are replaced with the simple addition of lime (calcium hydroxide) and carbon dioxide to form the final product. Yet, as in the present invention, as the permeate fed into the post treatment are already saturated with CO2 only the remineralization of lime (calcium hydroxide) is required.

[0253] According to another embodiment, the NaOH produced by the BMED can also be used in the post treatment (instead of / in addition to lime) and / or in any second pass, if required.

[0254] According to another embodiment, at least a portion of the calcium carbonate pellets produced from the precipitation unit are delivered to a regenerator (hydrolysis or calcinatory) for the production of calcium-based chemicals, such as calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and carbon dioxide.

[0255] Reference is now made to Figure 3a which illustrates the above, utilizes seawater brine exited reverse osmosis filtration process. As discussed above, the seawater brine enters the reactor (e.g., fluidized bed reactor / pellets reactor). The reactor is already contained or introduced with the base e.g., produced via the BMED membrane to precipitate Calcium based composition (e.g., CaCO3). Alternatively or additionally, Figure 3a which, likewise illustrates the above, utilizes seawater brine exited reverse osmosis filtration process or seawater before the reverse osmosis filtration process. As discussed above, the seawater brine enters the reactor (e.g., fluidized bed reactor / pellets reactor). The reactor is already contained or introduced with the base produced e.g., via the BMED membrane to precipitate Calcium based composition (e.g., CaCO3).

[0256] The soften water (post the CaCO3 precipitation in the FBR) can be used as feed to an RO membrane for permeate water production.

[0257] According to one embodiment of the present invention, CaCO3 produced by the reactor (e.g., fluidized bed reactor / pellets reactor) have a relative high concentration of salts (NaCI). Therefore, according to one embodiment, the same is delivered to a washing reactor to wash the CaCO3.

[0258] According to this embodiment, the produced pellets of CaCO3 has dry content of 85% - 95% and about 5% - 15% of liquid solution (seawater or seawater brine). Before utilizing these CaCO3 pellets (e.g., to the post treatment, as detailed below) this liquid should be replaced (washed out) with RO permeate water. Thus, according to this embodiment permeate water and / or ultra-pure water are used to wash the CaCO3 pellets. Washing can be done in a batch or in a continuous mode.

[0259] Reference is now made to Figures 4a-4b illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, according to which the Calcium based composition (e.g., CaCO3) produced by the reactor (e.g., fluidized bed reactor / pellets reactor) is used to remineralize the water. The water can be the first fluid (the permeate saturated with CO2, produced by the pervaporation membrane) or any other fluid (permeate not saturated with CO2).

[0260] In the remineralization stage of the process / plant, calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate and potentially magnesium hydroxide produced by the pellet reactor is added to the reverse osmosis product water in a remineralization unit to produce drinking water that meets regulation requirements. Figure 4a illustrates the use of CaCO3 for the remineralization process, while Figure 4b illustrates an additional base being added to the post treatment to produce the final product (drinking water).

[0261] According to another embodiment of the present invention at least a portion of the calcium carbonate can be regenerated (by e.g., calcination / hydrolysis, as will be detailed hereinbelow) for reuse in the process / plant. This provides for a series of benefits in the overall cost efficiency and sustainability of the process / plant as detailed below.

[0262] Within the regeneration, at least a portion of the CaCO3 can be converted to CaO (by e.g., hydrolysis and / or calcination) and further to Ca(OH)2 (by reaction of CaO with H2O) to reused as described above.

[0263] According to another embodiment, if magnesium exists in the solution, the magnesium hydroxide is precipitated by addition of sodium hydroxide (produced by the BMED membrane) in the magnesium hydroxide precipitation unit (the FBR). Magnesium hydroxide precipitation is done at pH levels above 9.0. After magnesium hydroxide precipitation, the calcium hydroxide is precipitated by addition of sodium hydroxide in the calcium hydroxide precipitation unit (Calcium hydroxide precipitation is done at pH levels above 11.0).

[0264] Excess of sodium chloride solution produced in this stage of the process can be used for sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid preparation in the BMED membrane.

[0265] Thus, the present invention increases the self-sustainability of the process / plant by the on- situ production of calcium-based chemicals (calcium carbonate) precipitated which can be used for the post-treatment of the permeate to form product water, as well as being fed back to the reactor. The process enables a much lower chemical consumption overall and allows for the use of smaller reactors. The materials for providing these remineralization products can also be formed on site.

[0266] Furthermore, the process is also environmentally friendly because it reduces the amount of carbonates in the seawater as compared with standard desalination processes. This enables an increase in carbon capture by the sea, reducing the carbon footprint of the plant. More specifically, the desalination process of the present invention, by enabling the precipitation as disclosed above, removes carbon dioxide from seawater (and hence reduces the amount thereof) thereby facilitating carbon dioxide capture from the atmosphere.

[0267] Thus, the present invention provides a number of overall benefits, including energy saving, cost savings, self-manufacture of the required chemicals resulting in a chemical cost saving, additional profit from selling excess chemicals and carbon capture credits with a significant reduction in total operating costs.

[0268] According to another embodiment, the precipitation unit may also precipitate magnesium hydroxide (MgfOH ) from the sea water intake. This also enhances the sustainability of the process / plant because this chemical may also be required to provide satisfactory drinking water from permeate water, in addition to calcium hydroxide. Thus, the magnesium hydroxide may be delivered to the permeate water to provide drinking water. Again, at least a portion of the magnesium hydroxide may be regenerated to form a magnesium-based chemical, such as magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide, which may be added to the permeate water, with any excess being sold for additional income.

[0269] According to another embodiment of the present invention CO2 capture from the air to facilitate MgC03 precipitation.

[0270] The sodium hydroxide, NaOH, generated by th BMED, is let to be exposed to air thereby to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3:

[0271] 2NaOH + CO2 -> Na2CO3 + H2O.

[0272] The Sodium Carbonate can be used in a dedicated reactor (e.g., fluidized bed reactor) to precipitate Magnesium Carbonate, MgC03.

[0273] The Magnesium Carbonate, MgC03, can be then introduced into a calcination unit to produce MgO:

[0274] MgC03 -> MgO + CO2. Needless to say, that the MgO can be added in the post treatment to the produced water (drinking water); or, it can be sold externally to any 3rdparty.

[0275] As noted above, the produced MgC03 and the CaCO3 can be used in the remineralization of the product water (post treatment). As illustrated, the water coming out of the RO membrane is introduced with MgC03 and CaCO3. Next, to produce the product water (drinking water), the water is introduced with CO2.

[0276] According to another embodiment of the present invention, regenerating at least some of the calcium carbonate precipitant to a calcium- based chemical (e.g., calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide) and carbon dioxide.

[0277] It is with the scope of the invention, where the regeneration of the calcium carbonate to the calcium-based chemical comprises a method selected from at least one of calcinating the precipitated calcium carbonate, hydrolysing the precipitated calcium carbonate and any combination thereof.

[0278] According to another embodiment of the invention, the regeneration of the calcium carbonate comprises calcination comprising heating the calcium carbonate to a temperature of at least 500°C.

[0279] According to another embodiment of the invention, the regeneration of the calcium carbonate comprises hydrolysing the calcium carbonate to produce at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, carbon dioxide and any combination thereof.

[0280] According to another embodiment of the invention, the of hydrolysis of the calcium carbonate is performed at a temperature of less than 500°C. According to another embodiment of the invention, the reactor that precipitate CaCO3 also precipitates at least one selected from a group consisting of magnesium hydroxide, Mg(0H)2, magnesium oxide, MgO and any combination thereof (see Figure 3b).

[0281] According to another embodiment of the invention, where regeneration of at least some of the magnesium hydroxide precipitant to a magnesium-based chemical. According to another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the regenerated magnesium-based chemical is added to the permeate to produce product water.

[0282] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the magnesium- based is used in the post treatments of the permeate water post the desalination step.

[0283] Reference is now made to Figures 5-6 illustrating schematic diagrams of a method of treating fluids (water) utilizing the embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, Figures 5-6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of desalination of water utilizing the embodiments of the present invention.

[0284] As seen in Fig. 5, salt solution and / or seawater and / or seawater brine are fed to a FBR reactor along with base (e.g., the NaOH produced by the BMED) to precipitate CaCO3 (which can be either regenerated to CaOH and CO2; or used in the post treatment).

[0285] The softened water are fed to an RO membrane which results in RO permeate and RO brine.

[0286] The RO brine is fed to a softening / concentrating unit which could be NF membrane, Brine concentrator, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof.

[0287] According to one embodiment, for example, the brine could first be fed NF membrane and then to OARO / brine concentrator membrane and only then (the filtered water) are fed to the BMED.

[0288] The softened Concentrated brine is fed to a BMED to produce acid (e.g., HCI) and base (NaOH).

[0289] The base is used to help in the precipitation of the CaCO3 in the FBR, while the acid is used to acidify RO brine before entering into a pervaporation membrane.

[0290] When acidifying the brine, CO2 is created, and the brine becomes saturated with CO2. When feeding brine saturated with CO2 and non CO2 saturated RO permeate to the pervaporation membrane, CO2 is transferred from the CO2 saturated brine to the non CO2 saturated permeate to produce CO2 saturated permeate. The salt Solution / diluted seawater brine exiting the BMED can be either be fed to the RO membrane and / or be disposed to e.g., the sea.

[0291] Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which provides, like Fig. 5, one embodiment of the entire process of this invention.

[0292] As shown in Fig. 6, seawater or sweater brine are acidified (by acid produced by e.g., the BMED) thereby generating a fluid saturated with CO2. The fluid saturated with CO2 is fed to a pervaporation membrane (or any other means adapted to facilitate gas passage therethrough), where on the other side of the membrane RO permeate is fed.

[0293] Thus, CO2 is passed through the membrane from the CO2 saturated brine to the non CO2 saturated permeate to produce CO2 saturated permeate.

[0294] The brine is disposed (e.g., delivered back to the sea). The CO2 saturated permeate is delivered to the post treatment for remineralization. In the post treatment, a remineralization reactor is fed with CO2 saturated permeate and CaCO3 to provide the final product (drinking water).

[0295] Acid Generation Unit.

[0296] The acid used for acidification of the fluid (before entering the pervaporation membrane) could be delivered to the plant from external source and / or it can be produced in-situ within the plant; e.g., by BMED.

[0297] According to one embodiment of the present invention salt solution and / or seawater and / or seawater brine are fed to the BMED.

[0298] It should be noted that special care and treatment are applied to the water before feeding the same to the BMED. E.g., passing the same through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, ion exchange, IX, brine concentrator, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO and any combination thereof (in ant order). The BMED produces acid, base and brine. The acid is used for the pervaporation membrane (as disclosed above), while the base is used for precipitation of CaCO3 in a FBR (as disclosed above and below). The solution existing the BMED can be disposed of (e.g., to the sea) or could be fed to membrane filtration (e.g., RO).

[0299] As noted above, the base is fed to FBR along with seawater and / or seawater brine to precipitate CaCO3.

[0300] The resulted solution is substantially Calcium free and can be fed to a filtration membrane (e.g., RO) or could be disposed.

[0301] The precipitated CaCO3 could be utilized in the post treatment to produce the final product (drinking water).

[0302] Alternatively, the CaCO3 could be delivered to a regeneration reactor (calcination and / or hydrolysis) to CaO and CO2. The CaO could be regenerated to CaOH by adding water thereto.

[0303] Thus, it is one object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0304] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0305] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0306] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0307] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0308] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0309] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0310] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0311] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0312] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0313] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

[0314] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0315] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0316] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0317] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0318] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0319] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0320] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0321] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0322] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0323] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0324] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0325] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

[0326] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0327] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0328] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0329] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0330] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0331] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0332] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0333] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0334] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0335] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0336] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0337] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0338] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0339] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0340] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0341] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0342] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0343] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0344] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0345] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0346] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0347] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0348] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0349] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0350] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0351] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0352] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0353] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0354] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0355] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0356] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0357] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0358] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0359] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0360] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0361] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0362] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0363] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0364] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0365] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0366] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0367] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

[0368] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0369] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0370] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0371] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0372] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0373] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0374] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0375] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0376] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0377] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0378] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0379] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0380] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0381] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0382] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0383] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0384] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0385] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0386] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0387] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0388] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

[0389] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0390] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0391] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used

[0392] To at least partially treating at least one second fluid by: dosing at least a portion of at least one first fluid with said portion of said acid stream, thereby lowering the pH of said a portion of a first fluid and providing acidified first fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified first fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of a second fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0393] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0394] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0395] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0396] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0397] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a first fluid with at least one acid is according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0398] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0399] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0400] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0401] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0402] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0403] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0404] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0405] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0406] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0407] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

[0408] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

[0409] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

[0410] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

[0411] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

[0412] Thus, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0413] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0414] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0415] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0416] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0417] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0418] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0419] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0420] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0421] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0422] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0423] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0424] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0425] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0426] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0427] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0428] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0429] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0430] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0431] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0432] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

[0433] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0434] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0435] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0436] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0437] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0438] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0439] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0440] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0441] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED). It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0442] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0443] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0444] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0445] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0446] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0447] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0448] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0449] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

[0450] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0451] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0452] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0453] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2;; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

[0454] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0455] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0456] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0457] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0458] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0459] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

[0460] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0461] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0462] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0463] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0464] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0465] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0466] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0467] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0468] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0469] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0470] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0471] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0472] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0473] It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

[0474] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

[0475] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

[0476] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

[0477] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

[0478] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

[0479] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through thereof.

[0480] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

[0481] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

[0482] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0483] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

[0484] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

[0485] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

[0486] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

[0487] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

[0488] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

[0489] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

[0490] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition. It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

[0491] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

[0492] It is lastly an object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

[0493] It is another object of the present invention to provide the method as defined above, additionally comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0494] It is another object of the present invention to provide the system as defined above, additionally comprising: at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

[0495] It is to be appreciated that modifications to the aforementioned process and systems may be made without departing from the principles embodied in the examples described and illustrated herein.

[0496] All references cited throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and non-patent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in this application.

[0497] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments, exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. The specific embodiments provided herein are examples of useful embodiments of the present invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be carried out using a large number of variations of the devices, device components, and method steps set forth in the present description. As will be obvious to one of skill in the art, methods and devices useful for the present methods can include a large number of optional composition and processing elements and steps.

[0498] When a group of substituents is disclosed herein, it is understood that all individual members of that group and all subgroups, including any isomers, enantiomers, and diastereomers of the group members, are disclosed separately. When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and sub-combinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure. When a compound is described herein such that a particular isomer, enantiomer or diastereomer of the compound is not specified, for example, in a formula or in a chemical name, that description is intended to include each isomer and enantiomer of the compound described individually or in any combination. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, all isotopic variants of compounds disclosed herein are intended to be encompassed by the disclosure. For example, it will be understood that any one or more hydrogens in a molecule disclosed can be replaced with deuterium or tritium. Isotopic variants of a molecule are generally useful as standards in assays for the molecule and in chemical and biological research related to the molecule or its use. Methods for making such isotopic variants are known in the art. Specific names of compounds are intended to be exemplary, as it is known that one of ordinary skill in the art can name the same compounds differently.

[0499] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a cell" includes a plurality of such cells and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. As well, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be used interchangeably. The expression "of any of claims XX-YY" (wherein XX and YY refer to claim numbers) is intended to provide a multiple dependent claim in the alternative form, and in some embodiments is interchangeable with the expression "as in any one of claims XX-YY."

[0500] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, a range of integers, a temperature range, a time range, a composition range, or concentration range, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. As used herein, ranges specifically include the values provided as endpoint values of the range. As used herein, ranges specifically include all the integer values of the range. For example, a range of 1 to 100 specifically includes the end point values of 1 and 100. It will be understood that any subranges or individual values in a range or subrange that are included in the description herein can be excluded from the claims herein. The term "about" refers to any value being lower or greater than 20% of the defined measure.

[0501] As used herein, "comprising" is synonymous and can be used interchangeably with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. In each instance herein any of the terms "comprising", "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" can be replaced with either of the other two terms. The invention illustratively described herein suitably can be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0502] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that starting materials, biological materials, reagents, synthetic methods, purification methods, analytical methods, assay methods, and biological methods other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed can be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, the process comprising: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

10. The method according to claim 1, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

12. The method according to claims 11, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

13. The method according to claim 12, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

14. The method according to claim 13, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

15. The method according to claim 14, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization of at least one selected from a group consisting of said at least a portion of said first fluid, permeate fluid or any combination thereof.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

23. The method according to claims 10, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

24. A method of remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising steps of: dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane;feeding at least a portion of at least one first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; thereby enriching said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids with CO2.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

28. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

30. The method according to claim 24, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

31. The method according to claim 24, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

32. The method according to claim 24, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

33. The method according to claim 24, additionally comprising step of providing said acid by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

34. The method according to claim 24, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawaterbrine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

35. The method according to claims 34, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

36. The method according to claim 34, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

37. The method according to claim 36, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

38. The method according to claim 37, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

39. The method according to claim 34, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

40. The method according to claim 34, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

43. The method according to claim 40, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

44. The method according to claim 40, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine,seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

46. The method according to claim 33, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

47. A self-sustainable system for treating fluids, comprising: at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of at least one second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of said first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

49. The system according to claim 47, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

50. The system according to claim 47, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a groupconsisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

51. The system according to claim 47, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

53. The system according to claim 47, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

54. The system according to claim 47, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

55. The system according to claim 47, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid to provide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

56. The system according to claim 47, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

57. The system according to claim 56, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

58. The system according to claims 57, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

59. The system according to claim 58, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

60. The system according to claim 59, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

61. The system according to claim 60, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

62. The system according to claim 57, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

63. The system according to claim 57, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

65. The system according to claim 63, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

66. The system according to claim 63, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

67. The system according to claim 63, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

68. The system according to claim 67, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

69. The system according to claims 56, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

70. A self-sustainable system for remineralization at least a portion of at least one permeate stream by enriching the same with CO2, comprising:at least one conduit for dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid thereby providing acidified second fluid saturated with CO2; at least one conduit for feeding said acidified second fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; at least one conduit for feeding at least a portion of a first fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream of at least a portion of at least a first fluids is enriched with CO2.

71. The system according to claim 70, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

72. The system according to claim 70, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

73. The system according to claim 70, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

74. The system according to claim 70, wherein said at least one agent is at least one acid.

75. The system according to claim 74, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

76. The system according to claim 70, wherein the pH of said portion of a second fluid is decreased to 3-6.

77. The system according to claim 70, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

78. The system according to claim 70, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid toprovide acidified second fluid is based according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ ->H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

79. The system according to claim 70, wherein said acid is provided by use of at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

80. The system according to claim 70, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED) prior to said step of dosing at least a portion of a second fluid with at least one agent; thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

81. The system according to claims 80, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

82. The system according to claim 81, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

83. The system according to claim 82, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

84. The system according to claim 83, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

85. The system according to claim 70, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used as the at least one agent adapted to lower the pH of said a portion of a second fluid.

86. The system according to claim 70, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

87. The system according to claim 86, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

88. The system according to claim 86, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water,brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

89. The system according to claim 86, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

90. The system according to claim 86, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

91. The system according to claim 90, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

92. The system according to claims 79, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, ion exchange, IX, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof prior to said step of feed the same to said electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED).

93. A method of at least partially treating at least one first fluid, comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

94. The method according to claims 93, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and any combination thereof.

95. The method according to claim 94, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

96. The method according to claim 95, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

97. The method according to claim 96, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

98. The method according to claim 97, wherein at least a portion of said acid stream is used to at least partially treating at least one second fluid by: dosing at least a portion of at least one first fluid with said portion of said acid stream, thereby lowering the pH of said a portion of a first fluid and providing acidified first fluid saturated with CO2; feeding said acidified first fluid saturated with CO2 to one side of at least one membrane; feeding at least a portion of a second fluid to a second side of said at least one membrane, thereby producing at least one permeate stream and at least one brine stream; wherein said at least one permeate stream is saturated with CO2.

99. The method according to claim 98, wherein said at least one second fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof.

100. The method according to claim 93, wherein said at least one first fluid is seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution, consisting of sodium chloride (NaCI), Na2SO4 and any combination thereof, and any combination thereof.

101. The method according to claims 93-100, wherein said at least one selected from said at least one first fluid, said at least one second fluid and any combination thereof are provided either before or after at least one filtration process; said filtration being selected from a group consisting of desalination of seawater, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis,pressure-retarded osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, NF, and any combination thereof.

102. The method according to claim 93-101, wherein said at least one acid is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof.

103. The method according to claim 98, wherein said membrane is selected from a group consisting of pervaporation membrane, any membrane that allow passage of CO2 there through.

104. The method according to claim 98, wherein said step of dosing at least a portion of a first fluid with at least one acid is according to the following equation: HCO3- + H+ -> H2CO3 -> H2O + CO2.

105. The method according to claims 104, wherein at least one of the following is held true (a) said acid stream is selected from a group consisting of hydrochloric acid (HCI), Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and any combination thereof; (b) said base stream is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)and any combination thereof.

106. The method according to claim 104, where said NaOH is used to capture CO2 from the air to produce Na2CO3.

107. The method according to claim 106, where said Na2CO3 is adapted to precipitate Mg2CO3.

108. The method according to claim 107, where said Mg2CO3 is precipitated in a precipitation reactor being a fluidized bed reactor.

109. The method according to claim 93, wherein at least a portion of said base stream is adapted to at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) fed into at least one reactor adapted to precipitate Calcium based composition; (b) fed to the post treatment to produce the final product; (c) any second pass; and any combination thereof.

110. The method according to claim 109, wherein said Calcium based composition is selected from a group consisting of Calcium Hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3, Calcium Oxide, CaO and any combination thereof.

111. The method according to claim 109, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is also fed into said at least one reactor to precipitate Calcium based composition.

112. The method according to claim 109, wherein said reactor is selected from a group consisting of a pellet reactor, a fluidized bed reactor, crystallizer and any combination thereof.

113. The method according to claim 109, wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of at least a portion of said second fluid, at least a portion of said first fluid, at least a portion of said at least one permeate stream saturated with CO2, seawater, seawater brine, seawater permeate, wastewater, sludge, industrial water, brackish water, effluent, salt solution and any combination thereof is fed through at least one remineralization reactor for the post treatment and remineralization thereof.

114. The method according to claim 113, wherein said Calcium based composition is also fed into said at least one remineralization reactor to produced remineralized permeate.

115. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

116. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

117. The method according to claim 93, wherein said method is part of a desalination process.

118. The system according to claim 47, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

119. The system according to claim 70, wherein said system is part of a desalination plant.

120. The method according to claim 10, additionally comprising steps of: feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

121. The method according to claim 33, additionally comprising steps of:feeding at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; feeding at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; feeding at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

122. The system according to claim 56, additionally comprising: at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

123. The system according to claim 79, additionally comprising: at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said at least one first fluid into at least one softening module selected from a group consisting of NF membrane, , ion exchange, IX and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a softened product stream and a brine stream;at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said a softened product stream into at least one concentrator module, adapted to concentrate said softened product stream; said at least one concentrator module is selected from a group consisting of osmotically assisted reverse osmosis membrane, OARO, any brine concentrator means and any combination thereof to produce at least two streams, a product stream and a softened brine concentrated stream; at least one conduit adapted to feed at least a portion of said softened concentrated brine stream to at least one electrodialysis bipolar membranes (BMED); thereby resulting in providing at least two steams, at least one of which is an acid stream; and at least one of which is a base stream.

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