Battle Water Scarcity by Reusing Industrial Wastewater

Water reuse is the practice of using treated wastewater in non-process applications as a method to conserve water. From automotive and aerospace technology to gas drilling and food and beverage manufacturing, many businesses have integrated water reuse practices into their production processes.

According to a study published in June 2015 by AZoCleantech.com, an engineering publication based in the United Kingdom and Australia, 3,000 water reuse facilities are operating globally. As water supplies dwindle due to increased demand for water in industrial processes, businesses must look at their impact on the environment and assess how their operations affect the communities in which they operate. During the next three years, 40 new water reuse plants are expected to be in operation in the U.S., according to the study. In the industrial sector, water reuse is a vital method to reduce source-water risk, enhance sustainability practices and better control water quality. GE Healthcare, a large electronic health record and health information-technology software company, reports that 75 percent of wastewater in North America is treated, amounting to 16 trillion gallons of water each year. However, only 3.8 percent, or 600 million gallons, is reused. As industrial companies integrate water reuse into daily production routines, it is important to consider the scope of water reuse needs. Many large production companies look for advanced treatment technologies to remove contaminants that conventional treatment processes leave behind.

Effective Water Treatment

One of the most popular advanced treatment systems is reverse osmosis (RO). RO systems remove salts and many dissolved organics, which cannot be removed in conventional treatment systems, through a semipermeable membrane. Production plants also use RO treatment systems when the highest quality of reused water is needed. RO systems are one of the most convenient and effective methods of filtering unwanted contaminants for reuse water supplies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), RO removes between 96 and 99 percent of most contaminants, including salts and minerals, dyes, particles, bacteria, and heavy metals from the reused water supply. This produces a higher-quality water than traditional treatment methods, and it can be used in applications throughout facilities that require a high-quality water source. It also removes particles that are smaller than 0.001 microns. Industrial RO treatment systems can treat 1 million or more gallons of feedwater per day. These systems provide high-purity water under the rigorous demands of continuous operation and harsh environments. A standard RO treatment system is built with the following components: a cold water line valve; prefilters that remove solids, sediments and impurities; an RO membrane; an automatic shutoff valve; a check valve to prevent the backward flow of water; a reject flow control valve; and a drain line. Other benefits of RO systems can include affordable installation; reduced energy use, resulting in lower energy costs in relation to larger treatment systems; minimal system downtime because the systems are highly automated; and full production at a wide range of temperatures.

RO Systems in Action

Pharmaceutical, food and beverage, drilling, and automotive manufacturing are among the industries that have implemented RO treatment systems into routine water reuse practices. These systems can be used to treat boiler feedwater, industrial wastewater, process water and more. Some examples of major uses:

• Small bottled water plants. RO modules range from 1,500 to 25,000 gallons per day or higher and are available as standalone or add-on units.
• Car washes. RO systems are hassle-free and can plug into a standard wall outlet. The system operates at up to 90 percent recovery.
• Laboratories. RO systems produce water flow rates of 12 to 24 liters per hour. The systems are fully automatic in operation.

Proper pretreatment and monitoring of an RO system are crucial for preventing costly repairs and unscheduled maintenance. With the correct system design, maintenance program and experienced service support, an RO system can provide many years of quality water.