5. WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN THE SUGAR & DISTILLARY INDUSTRY

Limiting the environmental footprint of sugar beet and sugar cane processing.

Flexible solutions for a seasonal industry
The sugar industry stands out as a significant consumer of water and a prolific generator of wastewater. In many developing nations, water, although vital, is frequently a limited resource. Our approach focuses on the recycling of condensate, the separation of high-strength and low-strength effluent, and the meticulous management of eco-infrastructure, strategically minimizing reliance on fresh water.

Unique anaerobic reactor
The anaerobic process technology is ideally adapted to the seasonal processing of sugar beet or cane. In case of a shortage of feed, the anaerobic reactor can be cooled down without losing the microbiological activity of the anaerobic sludge.

During peak load periods, the reactor design effectively handles the increased activity due to the increased soluble cod in the sugar beet circuit. Overloading during the season does not increase operating costs, unlike traditional aerobic treatment systems where such costs are proportional to the amount of incoming waste.

Nutrient removal
In the sugar industry, the main source of nitrogen is the condensate stream, which requires an innovative design of the water treatment process. This condensate undergoes aerobic aftertreatment in combination with the UASB effluent. The use of a bypass around the UASB provides an opportunity to increase the COD/N ratio, which greatly improves nitrogen removal during aerobic treatment.

During the off-season, aerobic treatment is turned off by gradual removal of activated sludge. At the beginning of the new season, sludge is taken from another plant to restore the aerobic process.

Combining anaerobic treatment with effective nitrogen removal ensures that the wastewater meets discharge standards. The biogas from anaerobic treatment becomes a valuable energy source, which significantly limits operating costs.

6. WASTEWATER TREATMENT FOR THE YEAST AND BAKERY INDUSTRY

Removing fats, oils and grease as a pre-treatment step for wastewater.

A different wastewater for every bakery
Large quantities of water are essential for dough production in commercial bakeries. Notably, a significant portion, up to 50%, of water usage is attributed to the cleaning of machinery, utensils, and the CIP (cleaning-in-place) process. The strength of bakery wastewater is contingent upon the nature of the final product. The production of bread yields wastewater with lower strength, while the preparation of cakes, enriched with diverse ingredients, results in higher-strength wastewater.

Pretreatment for better results
Bakery wastewater commonly lacks essential nutrients, posing a challenge to the efficiency of the biological wastewater treatment process. To enhance outcomes, additional nutrients need to be introduced. Moreover, the presence of fats, oil, and grease (FOG) hinders oxygen mass transfer and the breakdown of organic pollutants. The utilization of advanced pre-treatment technologies effectively diminishes FOG and total suspended solids (TSS) by up to 90%. This pre-treatment sets the stage for subsequent aerobic treatment technologies, ensuring the production of a high-quality effluent ready for discharge.

7. CHEMICALS & COSMETICS

Sustainable use of natural resources in the chemical industry.

Recovering resources while removing contaminants
In the realm of pharmaceutical and chemical processes, each operation gives rise to a distinctive amalgamation of by-products, effluents, and gaseous streams. Our array of exclusive technologies stands as a catalyst in diminishing the water, carbon, and energy footprint by salvaging valuable resources and purging contaminants from effluents.

At our cutting-edge test facility, we conduct proof-of-concept testing that accommodates the intricacies of highly variable and complex wastewater, culminating in a verified solution backed by a performance guarantee.

Beyond the realms of water production and wastewater recovery, we present water recycling as a viable option for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and refined chemicals industry. This strategic approach significantly curtails the water footprint.

In this manner, we empower our clients to safeguard product quality, drive down operational costs, and enhance compliance with regulatory standards.

8. PETROCHEMICAL, OIL & GAS

Managing the water cycle in the oil and gas industry.

Treatment of large flows of high-polluted wastewater
The oil and gas industry witnesses the generation of substantial wastewater volumes. The wastewater stemming from petroleum operations encompasses a diverse array of pollutants, including petroleum hydrocarbons, mercaptans, oil and grease, phenol, ammonia, sulfide, and various other organic compounds.

These compounds manifest in highly intricate forms within the discharged water from the petroleum industry, presenting direct or indirect environmental hazards. The treatment of wastewater originating from the petroleum industry necessitates a multifaceted approach, integrating physical, chemical, and biological processes.

Providing up- and downstream water solutions
Delivering comprehensive solutions for the oil and gas sector, we specialize in both upstream and downstream applications. Our cutting-edge membrane filtration and high-recovery reverse osmosis solutions cater to the treatment of injection water in both onshore and offshore settings, producing top-tier, salt-free, and sulfate-free process water vital to the refinery process.

Our repertoire includes a plethora of technologies meticulously crafted for the treatment of crude processing water (produced water). This spans from fundamental oil/water separation techniques to advanced methodologies targeting the removal of BOD, TSS, and sulfate-reducing bacteria.