WATER TREATMENT
treatment plant to achieve excellent sludge separation and to improve water quality for reuse applications and effluent discharge ( Figure 1 ). The programme provided energy savings of 113,880 KWh / year and water savings of 960,000 m 3 / year , and it reduced CO 2 emissions by
38.6 tonnes / year .
Chemical control package for environmentally friendly operation
Mineral processing operations consume large volumes of powder flocculants for water treatment and dewatering . Being able to dissolve granular flocculant formulations efficiently is a high priority here . Water and energy requirements are typically elevated , increasing the importance of a modular dissolving system to improve operational efficiency .
A mineral processing facility in Australia encountered difficulties controlling solid-liquid separation and subsequently the required beaching angle , at its tailings storage facility . The mine site operators frequently overdosed flocculant because of fluctuations in slurry characteristics and feed rates , causing solids to build up at a faster rate .
Following the introduction of a suitable control package that involved real-time measurement , control algorithms and a proprietary flocculant make-down system , flocculant usage decreased from 700 to 200 kg / day , and makeup water usage decreased . With the upgraded modular dissolving system , mine operators were able to reduce CO 2 emissions by 65 tonnes / year and water usage by 18,250 m 3 / year
Reducing toxicity in cooling water blowdown
Azoles are versatile molecules used in a wide variety of industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals to chemical processing and oil refining . Within water treatment , these compounds are commonly used as corrosion inhibitors for copper and copper
Carbon emissions ( kg CO2e )
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0 Original corrosion inhibitor
alloys , even though they can contribute to water pollution by disrupting natural processes . That has led regulatory agencies to highlight the importance of monitoring and reducing azoles in water .
Solenis developed a copper corrosion inhibitor enhancer that contains a significantly reduced azole concentration while maintaining corrosion control . This novel product is synthesised from sustainable , biobased feedstocks that make it biodegradable in natural water and wastewater treatment plants . In addition , it causes minimal mammalian and aquatic toxicity , which supports the health of ecosystems . A chemical processing plant in North America trialled this chemistry to maintain its baseline corrosion rates while also reducing its existing copper corrosion inhibitor usage . Upon completion of the field trial , plant operators documented a 50 % reduction in copper corrosion inhibitor usage when combined with the new inhibitor enhancer .
That reduction resulted in a lower level of azole toxicity in the cooling water blowdown . They also recorded reduced corrosion rates that averaged between 0.1 mpy and 0.05 mpy ( Figure 2 ). Furthermore , the product carbon footprint was reduced by 48 % ( Figure 3 ), which supported the plant ’ s goal of reducing
CO 2 emissions .
Conclusion
As sustainability becomes a key element in more business strategies , selecting and using the right water treatment technologies will become a vital part of achieving sustainability goals .
Speciality chemical suppliers and water treatment companies recognise their important role in solving the complex waterrelated challenges of today to improve operational efficiency . These companies prioritise water stewardship , product sustainability , and global partnerships , to minimise the impact of industrial operations on the environment .
Intensive focus is placed on innovation to develop new chemical and equipment technologies to support current and future industry challenges . Speciality chemical suppliers must work with their customers to build a safer and healthier world through innovation . Creating a more sustainable future is fuelled not only by intent , but also by actions and accountability . ●
J j
New corrosion inhibitor
Figure 3 - Product carbon footprint : Original ( left ) & new ( right ) corrosion inhibitors
Andreina Graham
PRODUCT MANAGER
SOLENIS LLC acoll @ solenis . com www . solenis . com
38 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981