Water has always been one of the most irreplaceable elements in the industrial production equation. But more and more manufacturing companies are recycling wastewater whenever wastewater reuse can be implemented as a feasible, cost effective option. Innovative industrial water purification technologies make it economically feasible to convert all kinds of wastewater back into a purified, reusable state. After treatment this water once again becomes a valuable asset instead of a potential financial and environmental liability.
Industrial Wastewater Reuse Applications
Industries can recapture and purify wastewater that would otherwise be lost, and recycled water can be used for a variety of applications. Those include washing, rinsing, plating, spraying, coating, cooling, boiler water make-up, cooling tower make-up and fire suppression systems. Even unusually problematic and elusive substances such as ammonia, which can corrode and damage copper components of manufacturing facility equipment, can be successfully removed from water using today’s industrial water purification technology.
Wastewater Reuse Thanks to Sophisticated Water Purification
The toughest water treatment problems can be addressed and solved by skilled engineers with access to the right equipment. That includes everything from purifying and recycling of typical gray water, to recycling wastewater used or generated by the oil and natural gas industries. Refineries, for example, often use as much as half of their water in cooling towers, so wastewater reuse can have a significant positive benefit.
Microfiltration techniques also substantially contribute to the recovery of water for industrial purposes. In the powder coating industry, huge amounts of water are used in the finishing process. But filtering with reverse osmosis and deionization can allow these businesses to reclaim up to 90 percent or more of their post-process water and use it again.
Saving Chemicals from Going to Waste
While lots of companies are focused on removing chemical contaminants from water, there are also manufacturers that benefit from doing just the opposite and separating the water away from expensive chemicals. Companies that use expensive raw and intermediate chemicals, for instance, can sometimes concentrate and isolate them from a wastewater stream using high-tech membranes and other technologies.
They can reuse these chemicals or minerals, while also ensuring that the wastewater they dispose of is cleaner and will have a less detrimental impact on the environment. One of the most affordable first steps for industrial companies seeking to reclaim wastewater is to conduct a professional water usage audit. Water engineers can pinpoint exactly where the most money can be saved and can then recommend appropriate solutions tailored to a manufacturer’s specific needs and budget.
