Wastewater is water that has been polluted by human processes and can contain physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. It’s essential that wastewater–like any other kind of waste–be disposed of in a hygienic manner. But wastewater can be treated and even reused, thanks to certain processes and technology.
In manufacturing, it’s important that wastewater be properly managed–especially because there’s usually a lot of it. Industries that generate a lot of wastewater are subject to strict regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. If your company is growing to the level where it will start generating a lot of waste, it’s time to invest in treatment options.
There are many ways to treat wastewater, and lots of manufacturers outsource this job to companies specifically dedicated to wastewater treatment, or the manufacturers will buy the necessary equipment to treat their own water.
Clarifiers
There are several methods of treating wastewater. One is by using clarifiers. Clarifiers remove waste from the sedimentation tanks into which the polluted water is deposited. In these tanks, some of the waste will float (scum), while the rest of it sinks to the bottom (sludge). One style of clarifier is the slant plate clarifier. The inclined plate creates more floor space for the sludge to settle in. It’s design means it requires fewer mechanical features. Another type of clarifier is a low profile clarifier (LPC). The LPC also uses inclined plates, but it also gets wider as the flow rate increases, which means that the height of the tank stays the same–this is great for places with low ceilings.
Filter presses
Filter presses are the most popular method for treating wastewater. In filtration, the sludge may simply drain through sand meds, but sometimes filtration also uses vacuums or high pressure to move out the sludge. Filter presses use plates that press against each other to create filtration chambers in which the sludge accumulates. The filtrate is collected in the back of the support and internal ducts carry it away.
You can also use filter presses to recycle the water you use. This is especially crucial in processes such as hydraulic fracturing (aka “fracking”), which uses water to create oil and gas wells. This process uses tons of water and consequently creates a byproduct called produced water, which is environmentally problematic. This process is therefore under strict regulations by the EPA. However, using advanced treatment technology, produced water can be treated and partially recycled, allowing it to be used again in the fracking process.
Other methods
These are just two of the methods by which wastewater can be treated. Other methods include oxidation, polishing, and phase separation. There has even been experimentation using rotating perforated tubes to filter the wastewater. Be sure to investigate all your options. There are resources online, but you may also choose to consult an expert in the field to decide what it right for your facility, waste production, and budget.