Innovations in Process Water Treatment: Towards a Sustainable Future

The process water treatment industry has experienced a remarkable transformation due to innovative technologies in an ever-changing environment. Advanced technologies are being used to improve water purification and to reduce the use of chemicals and energy, contributing to the achievement of sustainability objectives. By combining environmental protection and innovative technologies, the global process water treatment industry is able to address global water challenges to help create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.

According to a recent report released by Allied Market Research, the global process water treatment industry is predicted to portray an outstanding CAGR over the projected period (2021-2030).

Let's look more in-depth at some of these innovative technologies for the treatment of process water. 

Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters are employed to remove free chlorine and organic materials present in water sources. This filtration method includes the use of an activated carbon bed to destroy impurities and contaminants by chemical adsorption. Activated carbon is made from natural materials which include coal or coconut shells which have a high carbon content. Before being used in water treatment, this carbonaceous material needs to undergo additional processing to become "activated."

Carbon filters are usually activated using either steam or chemicals. When activated with steam, the carbon filters have a fine pore structure which makes them effective in absorbing both liquid and vaporous compounds. On the other hand, when activated through a chemical reaction, the carbon filters have an open pore structure which makes them better at absorbing large molecules.

Chlorination

Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to water to remove harmful microorganisms, but it can lead to the formation of unwanted by-products such as trihalomethanes (THM). Excessive amounts of THMs could pose health risks, which led the EPA to establish limits for THMs in drinking water. Methods such as filtration and the use of chloramines (chlorine mixed with ammonia) help reduce THMs. More advanced technologies such as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and UV disinfection are used to address concerns and maintain water purity without the drawbacks of chlorination.

Distillation

Distillation is used to remove suspended and dissolved contaminants from water in water treatment. The process involves heating water to produce steam, which is then collected and cooled to form distilled water. The high temperature of distillation removes viruses, bacteria, and spores, vaporizing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Distillation is often the desired method for water production for injection (WFI) for pharmaceutical or medical applications.

Electrodeionization (EDI)

Electrodeionization, also known as continuous electrodeionization (EDI, CEDI, or CDI), uses semi-permeable membranes and ion exchange resins to decrease ion concentrations in water. Ion-exchange resins are constantly regenerated by an electric current that removes the dissolved ions. These dissolved ions are constantly removed from the system during regeneration. While electrodeionization is eco-friendly, it necessitates pre-treatment upstream, usually with reverse osmosis, to achieve the best economic efficiency.

The impact of COVID-19 

The process water treatment industry has been affected by both short-term and long-term impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the short-term, lockdown measures and international trade restrictions disrupted the supply chain, leading to shortages of equipment and chemicals essential for water treatment. At the same time, the immediate demand for process water treatment solutions decreased as industrial plants underwent temporary shutdowns during the pandemic.

The pandemic saw an increased focus on meeting the demand for water treatment systems in specific sectors, particularly healthcare facilities and essential services, to ensure safe and hygienic water supplies.

In the long-term, the pandemic showed how crucial it is to have strong and sustainable methods of managing water. Companies are investing in treating water for their operations to ensure a steady and clean water supply. Strict safety and hygiene measures in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and food processing have emphasized the need for reliable water treatment systems.

Moreover, the public is increasingly recognizing the potential for viruses to spread through water, highlighting the vital need for powerful disinfection and virus removal methods when treating water for commercial use.

Harshada Dive is a computer engineer by qualification. She has worked as a customer service associate for several years. As an Associate Content Writer, she loves to experiment with trending topics and develop her unique writing skills. When Harshada's not writing, she likes gardening and listening to motivational podcasts.