Water for industry
Water for cities & municipalities
Industrial sewage
Municipal sewage
Sewage sludge
Circular economy
Energy recovery
Preliminary water treatment involves removing solid phase from water: solid particles, suspended solids, colloids, as well as microorganisms. This is an essential and most important stage of water treatment before further processes such as membrane processes, ion exchange, or electrodeionization.
For initial water treatment, the following unit processes can be developed:
- mechanical filtration: carried out using screens and sieves, usually directly related to surface water intakes,
- coagulation and flocculation: selecting appropriate reagents and equipment, flotation: designing and implementing pressure flotation systems,
- sedimentation: (settling), including neutralization and settling of specific metals - selecting appropriate reagents and equipment,
- filtration: designing and implementing slow and rapid filtration systems, including selection of filter media and providing drainage systems,
- preliminary disinfection - offering disinfectant generation and dosing systems (chlorine, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite).
For the selection of chemical agents, such as coagulants and flocculants, pH regulating agents, we conduct preliminary laboratory tests to determine doses and technological effects. For the above processes (equipment), we offer suitable control and monitoring systems, which can be integrated with the superior water treatment plant system.
For the industrial sector using water resources, a crucial aspect is the preparation of water of appropriate quality. Depending on the industrial processes carried out, water should meet various requirements. Based on technological demands, there are several types of water used in industry, including technological water, boiler water, and make-up water. The fundamental process of preparing these waters involves softening and demineralization.
There are three methods of water softening and demineralization:
- Precipitation (softening): using reagents in accelerators and multi-chamber reactors.
- Ion exchange (softening or demineralization).
- Membrane processes (softening or demineralization) conducted through nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, electrodeionization, or reversible electrodialysis.
Softening processes are implemented to remove dissolved calcium and magnesium compounds, which cause water hardness. Hard water leads to the formation of undesirable boiler scale (insoluble calcium and magnesium deposits); in the industry, this phenomenon is also known as scaling.
Ion exchange can remove calcium and magnesium ions by replacing them with hydrogen or sodium ions. Selective ion exchange resins are chosen for this purpose. Membrane processes ensure the comprehensive removal of mono- and divalent ions, resulting in water that meets the standards for industrial applications.
The cooling circuit is a system of devices used to cool turbines. Such a system also includes a make-up water system and reagent dosing systems. The water in this circuit requires appropriate preparation so as not to damage the cooling system components.
The principles regarding water preparation for cooling circuits are regulated by appropriate legal standards. However, in most cases, it is the manufacturers who impose their guidelines, which can vary significantly. The most important aspect is that the water is free of turbidity, has a neutral odor, and does not contain microorganisms.
Technologies used for this purpose include preliminary water treatment:
- Coagulation,
- Sedimentation,
- Multi-chamber reactors;
- Water conditioning;
- Water disinfection.
For water used in air conditioning, where a low content of dissolved salts is required, membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis are employed. In the case of cooling systems, cooling towers or fan coolers are used in industry. Based on years of experience, the company SEEN constructed a Water Block for Anwil S.A. Plant using a fan cooler, pumping station, water filtration processes, and water conditioning.
In the Heat Recovery System, the excess condensate is purified and serves as a source of water for reuse by the User instead of using raw water (from the network or river). It can be reused in the UOC scrubber or for other industrial purposes, such as replenishing cooling circuits.
The condensate recovery from UOC generally involves:
- cooling in fan or tower coolers,
- preliminary purification using physicochemical processes (coagulation and filtration or sedimentation),
- further purification using ultrafiltration,
- initial demineralization using membrane techniques (reverse osmosis),
- if necessary, further demineralization using a second stage of reverse osmosis, using ion exchange or EDI/EDR.
The above condensate purification system can be modified depending on the application needs of the recovered water. Most often, the recovered water from excess condensate returns to the UOC circuit. Before starting the project and implementing the condensate purification system, we offer the possibility of conducting tests on a semi-industrial scale using pilot stations.
Due to changing regulations and progressing global warming, which is further limiting our already scarce water resources, industrial plants as well as water supply companies are being forced to optimize their water management. One of the key elements of this trend is water recovery. The essence of this process is the return and reuse of water treated to the required standards.
Every plant produces wastewater with varying levels of contamination, but in most cases, regardless of the degree of contamination, it is possible to successfully recover water from it for reuse within the plant.
For preliminary treatment (removal of solid particles) necessary for water recovery, we use settlers, filters, or ultrafiltration. For further treatment, such as the removal of dissolved compounds, we employ reverse osmosis. In the case of complete wastewater elimination, evaporators can be used (ZLD technology), where, in addition to recovered water, we obtain salt that can be further utilized or disposed of. For the recovery of rinse waters, lamellar separators, membrane technologies, pressure ultrafiltration, and vacuum ultrafiltration are applied. For wastewater from other production processes, where oily substances, oil derivatives, and other difficult-to-remove compounds may be present, an individual approach is required when selecting the appropriate technology.
Water recovery is undoubtedly a costly investment, but from a global perspective, it is profitable, as the costs of extracting from already limited resources are significantly higher. Our company is proud to have implemented such systems for dairy processing plants, where membrane technologies are utilized.
In order to accurately determine the effectiveness of proposed process solutions and select the appropriate technology, we offer the opportunity to conduct tests on a semi-technical scale using our own pilot plants.
We have the following pilot systems:
- pressurized flotation system (with coagulation and flocculation),
- filtration system, a sedimentation system,
- reverse osmosis system (with the ability to cool the treated medium),
- disinfection system,
- and a chemical oxidation system.
The pilot devices operate on real inflows of treated water or wastewater. They can work at the client's site for any agreed-upon period of time, with operator support provided by us. There is also an option for training the client's employees by our specialists.
Conducting such tests, before the design phase allows for a fairly accurate determination of equipment design assumptions, the effectiveness of proposed processes, as well as investment and operating costs, even before the investment is implemented. Carrying out such tests is also an excellent tool for a reliable evaluation of tender offers.
Our priority is to create projects that meet the highest requirements and standards, so we pay attention to every detail at every stage of our work. We utilize innovative solutions to ensure that our creations are characterized by functionality, efficiency, and reliability.
