The Global Rise of Zero Liquid Discharge for Wastewater Management: Drivers, Technologies, and Future Directions
Open accessAbstract
Zero liquid discharge (ZLD)-a wastewater management strategy that eliminates liquid waste and maximizes water usage efficiency - has attracted renewed interest worldwide in recent years. Although implementation of ZLD reduces water pollution and augments water supply, the technology is constrained by high cost and intensive energy consumption. In this critical review, we discuss the drivers, incentives, technologies, and environmental impacts of ZLD. Within this framework, the global applications of ZLD in the United States and emerging economies such as China and India are examined. We highlight the evolution of ZLD from thermal- to membrane-based processes, and analyze the advantages and limitations of existing and emerging ZLD technologies. The potential environmental impacts of ZLD, notably greenhouse gas emission and generation of solid waste, are discussed and the prospects of ZLD technologies and research needs are highlighted.
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ED can concentrate influent water to higher salinity levels than reverse osmosis.
“ED can concentrate influent water to higher salinity levels than reverse osmosis”
From Electrochemical Direct Lithium Extraction: A Review of Electrodialysis and Capacitive Deionization Technologies (2025) · cites this paper as [72]
ED consumes more energy than reverse osmosis, requiring approximately 7-15 kWh/m3 of feed water to concentrate brine to high salinity levels.
“ED also consumes more energy, requiring approximately 7-15 kWh/m 3 of feed water to concentrate brine to high salinity levels”
From Electrochemical Direct Lithium Extraction: A Review of Electrodialysis and Capacitive Deionization Technologies (2025) · cites this paper as [72]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Tong, T., & Elimelech, M.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Elimelech, Menachem
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2016-06-08
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 6846-6855
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2417511329
- Cited by
- 1,126
- References
- 70
- Citations by year
- 2026: 140 · 2025: 159 · 2024: 132 · 2023: 140 · 2022: 135 · 2021: 151 · 2020: 103 · 2019: 76 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 4
- FWCI
- 32.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Division of Engineering Education and Centers (1449500)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Membrane Separation Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Computational Mechanics › Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Keywords
- zero liquid discharge, wastewater management, water reuse, thermal evaporation, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste generation, environmental impact, emerging markets, water pollution reduction
- MeSH terms
- China, Technology, Water Pollution, Water Supply, Wastewater
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