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Innovative Water Management

Re–Circulation and Re–Use: How Smart Water Comes to Life

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However, treatment of the residual concentrates is problematic. Choosing a site with an abundant supply of water and implementation of an industrial water management program are generally preferable to the burdens associated with zero liquid discharge production, which is energy intensive. As a result, experts are pinning their hopes on tighter integration of water and energy management.

Bayer Technology Services has developed a process for handling effluents that contain organic matter as well as inorganic salts at an Indian pharmaceutical plant. The new stand-alone treatment process comprises three stages. The organic matter is removed by biological purification and the salt concentration is increased through reverse osmosis to minimize energy consumption in the subsequent evaporation stage.

For cost and environmental reasons, it is advantageous to reduce water movement, water heating and water contamination, and this is where industrial water management has a role to play.
For cost and environmental reasons, it is advantageous to reduce water movement, water heating and water contamination, and this is where industrial water management has a role to play.
(Source: depositphotos.com/pongsuwan)

Combined Technology for Zero Effluent

Similarly, Veolia Italy has developed a zero liquid discharge system for a global manufacturer of dispersions and adhesives. The system can treat 15 ton of wastewater per day. In the first stage, a heat pump vacuum evaporator with forced circulation pre-concentrates the rinsing water.

Next, a vacuum evaporator along with a heat pump and scraper system in the boiling chamber produces a final concentrate, which is mixed with fresh dispersion to obtain a constant density. The distillate is then treated and can be used for washing, thus, reducing the wastewater volume to zero. Hence, the waste product that was sent for disposal is now re-used in the production process.

As part of the EU E4Water Project, currently the world’s largest water management research project in the chemical industry, a number of plants in Belgium, France, Holland and Spain are working in unison to significantly reduce fresh water consumption. At Solvic NV and Dow Benelux, water flows from different plants are joined together. Treated effluents from one plant is used as feed water for another plant. The goal is to reduce fresh water consumption by up to 50 per cent.

Membrane process: Learning from Mother Nature

The use of membranes in water treatment technology has been increasing for many years. Membranes run continuously and are fully automatic. Membrane materials are now cheaper and more effective. It operates at a lower pressure and hence, reduces energy consumption.

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