Abstract: A method of increasing operational efficiency of a power plant includes determining an average rate of accumulation of scale-forming compounds in a cooling water source, directing water from the cooling water source having a first concentration of scale forming compounds through a treatment system to produce a treated water having a lower concentration of scale-forming components than the first concentration by operating the treatment system with operating parameters selected such that a rate of removal of the scale-forming components from the water in the treatment system is greater than the average rate of accumulation of the scale-forming components, directing the treated water back into the cooling water source, and circulating water including the treated water from the cooling water source through a cooling system of the power plant.

Abstract: Methods for treating phosphogypsum-containing water are disclosed. The water may be treated so as to promote precipitation of one or more target constituents and to facilitate downstream membrane treatment. A coagulant may be added to promote phosphate recovery. Ammonia may optionally be removed. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing operational efficiency of a power plant includes determining an average rate of accumulation of scale-forming compounds in a cooling water source, directing water from the cooling water source having a first concentration of scale forming compounds through a treatment system to produce a treated water having a lower concentration of scale-forming components than the first concentration by operating the treatment system with operating parameters selected such that a rate of removal of the scale-forming components from the water in the treatment system is greater than the average rate of accumulation of the scale-forming components, directing the treated water back into the cooling water source, and circulating water including the treated water from the cooling water source through a cooling system of the power plant.

Abstract: Methods for processing pretreated phosphogypsum wastewater are disclosed. Precipitation of select constituents may be promoted to control a hardness level of the pretreated wastewater. Ammonia may then be removed from the process stream via reverse osmosis. A membrane contactor and/or polishing unit(s) may optionally be used. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing operational efficiency of a power plant includes determining an average rate of accumulation of scale-forming compounds in a cooling water source, directing water from the cooling water source having a first concentration of scale forming compounds through a treatment system to produce a treated water having a lower concentration of scale-forming components than the first concentration by operating the treatment system with operating parameters selected such that a rate of removal of the scale-forming components from the water in the treatment system is greater than the average rate of accumulation of the scale-forming components, directing the treated water back into the cooling water source, and circulating water including the treated water from the cooling water source through a cooling system of the power plant.