Water optimization efforts often focus on achieving the highest possible level of recycling. However, many plants also should consider a complementary approach that targets cutting the water use of specific unit operations. When well planned and executed, this can produce substantial savings, as recent projects by BHS-Sonthofen, Suez Water Technologies And Solutions and DuPont Water Solutions show.
Processes that use washing and clarification technologies are ripe for optimization, advises Barry A. Perlmutter, President and Managing Director of BHS-Sonthofen Inc., Charlotte, N.C.
“Processes which use washing technology such as belt filters [Figure 1] can make savings of over 30% in water use by switching to counter-current washing. You can recycle the filtrate with no change in the quality of the washing process,” he says.

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