Effective Water Treatment Methods: Industrial and Domestic Uses
Water Treatment Methods: A Comprehensive Look
Reverse Osmosis: Purifying Water at Home
Reverse osmosis (RO) effectively removes approximately 95% of organic compounds and pesticides, 90% of dissolved salts, 70-80% of nitrates, and 55-65% of boron. This process involves forcing water through membranes that retain minerals and impurities, reducing salts, conductivity, sulfates, and nitrates, resulting in demineralized water.
Salt rejection membranes are susceptible to damage from microorganisms or chlorine. Therefore, a dechlorinating filter is often installed. Lime scale can also cause damage, so pre-treatment with a decalcification or anti-scaling system is recommended.
Water Filters: Classifications and Applications
Filters used in drinking water treatment are classified based on their filtration level or retention capability. Common types include standard filtration, microfiltration, and ultrafiltration. Mixed bed filters contain various layers of filter material, such as flints and anthracite, to ensure safe, high-quality water for consumption.
CINTROPUR Filters: Protecting Your Water System
CINTROPUR filters are designed for feeding and drinking water systems. Their centrifugal propeller precipitates particles to the bottom of the cup, while the filter cloth ensures thorough filtering. The micron rating can be selected based on specific needs. These filters protect equipment such as UV sterilizers, softeners, and reverse osmosis systems.
Advantages of CINTROPUR filters:
- Suitable for high-volume applications
- Low-pressure drop
- Visual inspection of the filter fabric
The CINTROPUR scin model includes an activated carbon filler, making it effective for reducing odors and flavors.
Industrial Water Treatment: Key Applications
1. Industrial Water Supply
Industrial water supply can originate from the general supply, wells, or surface water sources. These water sources often have varying salinity, hardness, and contamination levels.
2. The Role of Water in Industry
Water is an economical and versatile resource used for washing equipment, transporting materials, and serving as a raw material for energy production.
3. Industrial Washing Processes
a) Dilution: In industries like electroplating, objects coated with metal are immersed in chemical solutions and require intermediate rinsing steps.
b) Shift-Based Washing: For example, in the paper industry, residual liquor is eliminated using vacuum filters. A filter drum rotates, pulp adheres to it, and flat jets of water wash the pulp, preparing the liquor.
c) Extraction: Used in oil refineries to remove salt, preventing corrosion in distillation columns.
4. Water as a Raw Material
In industries such as bottled beverages, water quality is a critical component of the finished product.
5. Boiler Water Usage
A boiler is a machine that produces steam at high pressure and temperature. Heat is applied to the water, and the resulting steam is collected and sent to the process.
6. Demineralization Techniques
Demineralization occurs through an ion exchange process, often used to fine-tune reverse osmosis systems.
7. Cooling Towers
A cooling tower is a heat exchanger that facilitates heat transfer between water and air through direct contact. Sensors indicate the temperature at which the water can be cooled. Greater temperature differences between input and output result in higher efficiency.