WATER TREATMENT
Meeting the challenges of industrial process water production
For industrial sector businesses that rely heavily on the quality of their process water, system reliability is crucial. Here Kalpesh Shah, head of sales for process water at Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) looks at the key factors that must be considered to ensure the correct water treatment solution is specified
F
or many businesses, a reliable supply of process water that meets the required quality standards is central to their
day-to-day operations. An interruption in supply can mean that production has to be suspended and water that fails to meet the required degree of purity can impact the quality or even safety of products. Similarly, a supply of high quality water is also essential for sites with power generating assets, where water with minimal impurities helps prevent the scaling and corrosion that can impact the efficiency and longevity of the system. Therefore, investing in an effective water treatment solution is an important consideration. While there are many options available, there are a number of benefits to utilising a combination of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Continuous Electrodeionisation (CEDI) technologies. RO systems are highly effective and can remove up to 99% of the dissolved solids and particles from the water supply using a semi-permeable membrane. The water enters the membrane under pressure and the water molecules are allowed to pass through, while the contaminants are captured and discharged to drain. CEDI can be implemented following the RO stage to provide
water polishing and achieve a high level of purity. This high efficiency demineralisation process uses electricity and ion exchange membranes to separate dissolved impurities (ions) from water. However, in contrast to similar processes such as Ion Exchange (IX), the resin beds are constantly regenerated by the electric current, meaning a simpler operation and no downtime. It is also safer as it does not require the use of hazardous chemicals for regeneration. Additionally, CEDI units often have a smaller footprint and have lower operating costs compared to other technologies.
Choosing the right solution
Each business and site will have differing requirements and therefore, there are some key factors that must be considered when selecting the system to ensure it is suitable.
Performance of the system
The combination of RO and CEDI technologies can deliver a reliable supply of high quality process water, however not all systems will achieve the same level of performance. As such, it is important to look carefully at the proposed solution to ensure it can consistently meet all the required water quality criteria. Engaging with a water
treatment systems supplier that can provide technical support and guidance is important. This will ensure businesses have the expertise they need at each step of the process from initial specification through to ongoing system support and maintenance. A specialist will be able to carry out a full assessment of the site’s requirements as well as testing the incoming water supply to set
32 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2022
a benchmark and establish the specific treatment requirements. Leading manufacturers will often be able to implement a trial of the technology so that the performance can be assessed before the system is implemented. This can be achieved simply and easily with mobile water solutions – self-contained trailer based units that can be delivered to site and connected to the process water system with minimal disruption.
Practical considerations
Factors such as energy usage, operating costs and the footprint of the plant must also be considered when specifying a solution. Systems that feature high efficiency pumps and motors can help to keep energy costs down, and when combined with the chemical savings of utilising CEDI, this can reduce operational expenditure. Additionally, there are also advantages to looking for integrated water treatment solutions that include the required technologies in a single unit. Not only does this often reduce the overall footprint, saving valuable space, but also simplifies installation and commissioning. The units will be delivered pre-assembled ready to be connected, and leading suppliers will also carry out full factory testing to minimise any post-installation issues.
For example, VWT UK’s TERION units, which combine RO and CEDI technologies, instrumentation and control panel in a single skid, incorporate high efficiency motors and variable frequency drive (VFD) pumps to save up to 50% on electrical power.
Future-ready
When choosing a water treatment solution, it is important to consider if it can meet both the current and future water volume requirements reliably and efficiently. The RO/CEDI systems are highly scalable and as
such there are a range of options available to suit any requirement. However, it may be valuable to consider investing in a higher capacity system if the required volume of process water is likely to increase in the coming years. Furthermore, with greater demand for potable water in certain areas of the UK and rainfall less predictable, water is becoming a more limited resource with costs increasing as a result. Water treatment technology specialists will be able to provide guidance on how water can be treated and reused on site to minimise both the need for freshwater and the quantity of wastewater produced.
Remote monitoring
Finally, for many businesses there will be value in investing in a solution that includes remote monitoring capabilities. This enables system operators to use real time data to easily track the quality of the water being produced, with automated alerts and notifications to highlight any deviations. Cloud-based platforms, such as VWT UK’s Hubgrade package of digital services, allow this data to be accessed securely from any connected device. If an issue does occur, engineers can remotely access and view the operational data, maintenance schedules and performance to provide immediate preliminary checks of the system. Also, monitoring systems that allow an element of optimisation can help improve the efficiency of the water treatment system and reduce costs further.
For businesses that depend on a reliable supply of process water, having an effective water treatment solution in place is essential. Choosing the right system requires a considered approach but can help minimise costs and disruption, improve safety, help the business meet future requirements and optimise the performance of its assets.
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