Water Recycling
Water recycling from an ion-exchange system creates two options. The water from the system is virtually free from heavy metal ions and no alkalinity or scaling salts like calcium carbonate. However, it contains sodium chloride or sodium sulfate that is produced when the stream is neutralized.
One option chosen by many of our clients is to send the effluent from our Metl-X system to a cooling tower. We sanitize it with UV, ozone and/or chlorine and adjust the conductivity meter for blowdown. This process allows for a concreting of the wastewater drain and no more compliance headaches!
The other option is to use a membrane system. As mentioned earlier, up to 75% of wastewater can be economically recycled. The other 25% is called "reject" or "concentrate" and is sent to drain. Zero discharge is a possibility, but evaporating or hauling off the concentrate costs as much as recycling the 75%. Plus, some regulatory agencies will pull permits if no wastewater is discharged. Then, if you have a problem with your membrane system and need to treat conventionally for a few days, you're trapped.
Water recycling using a membrane system is a logical, economical alternative to using more and more water. However, it does require an intelligent operator who can relate to flows, pressures and water quality.
Remember, there is no need to risk your production process by cutting back on water. We can size a membrane system to give you as much water as you want with plenty of room for future expansion.
