Advanced Wastewater Treatment for a Global Adhesives Manufacturer in the UAE
Wastewater Tertiary Treatment for a concrete mixing firm
At a Glance
September, 2019
Middle East (Dubai)
Effluent Tertiary Treatment after chemical precipitation treatment
500m 3 /day
Reduce TSS and Turbidity
Influent Parameters
| S.No | Parameter | Unit | Process Waste Water | Sawage (m) | Equalised Parameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pH | - | 6.80 | 5.5-6.5 | 6.08 |
| 2 | COD | mg/l | 464256 | 700 | <6,600 |
| 3 | BOD | mg/l | 25500 | 350 | <2,900 |
| 4 | TSS | mg/l | 19940 | 200 | <2,200 |
| 5 | Oil & Grease | mg/l | 1896 | 10 | <200 |
Effluent Parameters
| S.No | Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pH | - | 6.0-9.0 |
| 2 | COD | mg/l | <700 |
| 3 | BOD | mg/l | <350 |
| 4 | TSS | mg/l | <400 |
| 5 | Oil&Grease | mg/l | <50 |
Situation
A renowned concrete mixing firm in Dubai, UAE is focusing on reusing wastewater from vehicle washing and cement mixing operations. The goal is to remove Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and turbidity, particularly chromium so the water can be reused.
Conventional Treatment
- Chemical Precipitation
- Settling Process
- Sand & Carbon Filtration
- Tertiary Filtration using Ultrafiltration (UF)
The wastewater also contained a significant fraction of non-biodegradable organics, making it resistant to conventional treatment methods.
Emvees’ Solution
Instead of the traditional ultrafiltration in the tertiary stage, we employed filters with Activated Filtration Media (AFM®). This cutting edge approach enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the wastewater treatment process, ensuring the treated water meets reusable standards.
Influent Parameters
| S.No | Parameter | Unit | Process Waste Water | Sewage (m) | Equalised Parameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pH | - | 6.80 | 5.5-6.5 | 6.08 |
| 2 | COD | mg/l | 464256 | 700 | <6,600 |
| 3 | BOD | mg/l | 25500 | 350 | <2,900 |
| 4 | TSS | mg/l | 19940 | 200 | <2,200 |
| 5 | Oil & Grease | mg/l | 1896 | 10 | <200 |
Effluent Parameters
| S.No | Parameter | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | pH | - | 6.0-9.0 |
| 2 | COD | mg/l | <700 |
| 3 | BOD | mg/l | <350 |
| 4 | TSS | mg/l | <400 |
| 5 | Oil & Grease | mg/l | <50 |
Results
By integrating AFM®, we achieved superior removal of contaminants, leading to cleaner, reusable water for the firm’s operational needs. Not only did this innovative shift optimise the treatment process but also contributes to sustainable water management practices in the industry.
Challenges with an Ultra Filtration System
Ultra Filtration (UF) utilises semi-permeable membranes (0.01 – 0.1 microns) to remove particles, bacteria, and viruses from water. However, it comes with challenges:
Elevated Costs:
Installation, maintenance, and membrane replacements require substantial investment.
Frequent Maintenance:
UF membranes are prone to bio-fouling, requiring regular chemical cleaning and increasing operational efforts.
Energy Demands:
Filtration pressure and frequent backwashing consume a lot of energy.
High Water Consumption:
Backwashing demands large volumes of water, leading to waste.
Skilled Labor:
Specialized technicians are required for UF operation and maintenance, adding to overall costs
Following multiple lab trials on wastewater samples, it was determined that the effluent contained a high fraction of non-biodegradable organics. Conventional treatment methods were insufficient, so Emvees designed a customized treatment solution that integrated:
- Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP):
Used to break down hard-to-degrade compounds and reduce effluent toxicity, making the wastewater more suitable for biological treatment. - Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR):
Implemented after AOP to ensure efficient biodegradation of the pretreated organics and achieve compliance with trade effluent discharge limits.
Advantages with AFM Filtration Systems
Significant Backwash Water Savings:
Cuts backwash water usage by up to 50%, ensuring a rapid ROI typically within 2 years when compared with sand and other glass media.
Consistent Filtration Performance:
Provides consistent filtration efficiency up to 98%, with a lifespan exceeding 10 years for long-term reliability.
Superior Filtration Properties:
A high surface area and advanced mechanical filtration effectively capture fine particles.
Outstanding Hydraulic Properties:
Uniform particle size and precise engineering deliver excellent hydraulic efficiency.
Anti-Biofouling Surface:
The activated surface area promotes catalytic reactions, preventing biofouling on the media..
Hydrophobic Filtration Efficiency:
Efficiently removes hydrophobic contaminants like oils, fats, organics, and microplastics across all water types.
- Regulatory Compliance: Effluent quality consistently met discharge standards.
- Sustainability Alignment: Hazardous waste disposal was drastically reduced, supporting the client’s global sustainability commitments.
- Operational Success: The plant has been successfully operated and maintained by Emvees for over four years, with stable performance.
- Water Reuse: In the second phase of the project, additional tertiary treatment units were added, enabling reuse of treated water for: o Landscaping o WC flushing o Floor cleaning o Other non-potable applications
- Skilled Labor: Specialized technicians are required for UF operation and maintenance, adding to overall costs.
Looking for a reliable wastewater treatment partner in the UAE? Contact Emvees today to explore tailored solutions for your industry.
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