SUSTAINABILITY
to be cleaned through backwashing , which is particularly helpful in the spiral round filter configuration used in many high-volume water purification applications . Less fouling and increased intervals between cleanings mean possible time , energy and money savings for organisations who adopt this technology .
Treating industrial wastewater
In extensive laboratory and field testing , the PPG high-flux polymeric membrane displays durability in a wide range of temperatures from 57 to 68 ° C , pH levels from 1.8 to 10 , consistently better separation performance than PAN and PVDF membranes , and high flux rates with lower fouling . These benefits will allow multiple industries to benefit from a smaller operational footprint , reclaiming industrial wastewater for reuse with a lower need for chemical treatment and decreased waste production and energy consumption .
In manufacturing facilities , the membrane has been used to treat quench water that is used to cool metal parts , cleanse feed water from latex paint production and reclaim silica from a slurry solution . Manufacturers will be able to consume less water and lower their discharge rates by recycling and reusing more water , even with challenging combinations of solids and contaminants .
The standard spiral wound configuration enables facilities to easily replace existing membrane filters with the upgraded material , offering higher performance without added capital investment . In a high-solids filtration trial , the membrane tripled the time between required cleanings : the conventional membrane needed supplementary cleaning approximately every 1,000 hours , while the new membrane lasted 3,000 hours , with higher flux rates . By extending the life of membranes , the potential to lower operating and consumable expenses is possible .
PPG used the compact nature of spiral wound filters and the membrane material to for a streamlined water treatment system for small volumes of water to be treated like slop water for offshore oil rigs .
Recycling greywater
Beyond industrial wastewater , membrane filters also aid in recycling greywater . Greywater can be repurposed for agricultural irrigation or purified to shower and drinking water standards .
With military bases spread across the globe on land and on sea , the US government has a vested interest in securing safe water for its forces . In locations such as aircraft carriers and large ships , isolated outposts , and even areas with crippled infrastructure due to natural disasters , membrane filtration offers an effective way for facilities to cleanse greywater for reuse and facilitate a circular water system .
The low-cost maintenance enabled by the membrane ’ s backflushing abilities is essential for these types of frameworks that must perform in crisis situations .
Outlook
Water insecurity continues to affect more and more people , and their livelihoods , every day . At the UN Water Conference earlier this year , experts agreed that we are not on track to ensure access to clean water for all by 2030 .
As governments hesitate to create binding agreements for their countries ’ water management , it is up to industries and organisations to step forward and make changes toward responsible water consumption and reuse . We must identify opportunities for water conservation and strive to improve water quality to combat the looming shortages and dangers to our health , the environment and the economy that could come to fruition in a few short years .
Increasing wastewater recovery is an important way that organisations can reuse water and produce less waste to cause pollution . It begins with quantifying water usage , discovering shortcomings or areas for improvement and seeking the technology to improve those measures .
Advances in the unique composition of our membrane can overcome many of the hurdles of other membrane materials , providing a cost-effective , durable and high-performing filter that can be easily incorporated into existing systems . ●
Juliane Hefel
GENERAL MANAGER , SPECIALTY COATINGS AND MATERIALS
PPG k + 1 724 325 5803 J jhefel @ ppg . com j www . ppgfiltration . com
References : 1 : McKinsey Global Institute , Climate risk & response : Physical hazards & socioeconomic impacts . McKinsey & Company , New York , 22 2 : United Nations , The United Nations World Water Development Report 2023 : Partnerships and Cooperation for Water . UNESCO , Paris , 12
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