Hydrate-based reduction of fluid inventories and concentration of aqueous and other water-containing products

A method for treating a highly polluted or otherwise contaminated solution comprising water and one or more solutes dissolved therein, the solution being a byproduct of an industrial process, said method comprising:

• mixing a hydrate-forming substance with the solution under pressure and temperature conditions suitable for hydrate to form, whereby hydrate of said hydrate-forming substance forms and removes water from said solution to produce residual fluid having higher concentration of said one or more solutes than said solution;
• and
• removing said hydrate from said residual fluid;
• wherein sufficient amounts of water is removed from said solution via said hydrate to raise the concentration of said one or more solutes in said residual fluid to saturation levels, whereby at least one of said one or more solutes precipitates out of said residual fluid;
• said method further comprising collecting said precipitated solute material.