Pollution Engineering - April 2009 - (Page 12) Pro Chem Inc. Advertorial Treat vs. Haul: The Complexity and Advantage of Wastewater Treatment Establishing a smart, cost effective solution to wastewater treatment demands time and expertise that most manufacturers simply can’t sacrifice or do not possess. Keeping up with the latest technology, monitoring a treatment system’s performance on a daily basis, and maintaining a well-trained water treatment staff requires resources beyond the scope of the manufacturing sector. In fact, such measures only draw attention away from the production process and drain financial resources, often appearing as deceptively minor inconveniences. Therefore, the complexity in determining the best remedy, purchasing the right equipment, installing the system, and training personnel can prevent a business from pursuing proper wastewater treatment. Hidden elements of the alternative – hauling waste for offsite disposal - are even less attractive considering the ever-increasing cost, required paperwork, and the liabilities associated with transportation of contaminated water. For one automotive component manufacturer, wastewater treatment issues seemed so complicated and overwhelming that offsite disposal was chosen time and again, despite the enormous and continually rising costs. Add to this the challenge of green initiatives from their parent company and it’s easy to see how frustrating and costly this “secondary” operation became. When plant management contacted ProChem Inc. for help, they learned that a total treatment solution was possible. By partnering with ProChem Inc., plant management was freed of the staffing, training, supervising, and support obligations associated with a water treatment system. ProChem Inc. became the automotive component manufacturer’s single source for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the wastewater treatment and reuse system. ProChem performed engineering design studies that included benchtop testing as well as onsite pilot testing while considering various treatment technologies and methods. To develop a fully integrated system, ProChem determined and procured component parts, installed the equipment and in the final phase of the project, assumed operational and maintenance responsibility for the treatment and water recycling program. The treatment system consists of an oil-water separator, ultrafilter system, and a reverse osmosis system and includes multiple storage tanks for the collection of wastes and recycled water (see figure 1). Various pumps and controls direct and regulate water through the system, which was designed for ease of operation and maintenance. Remote monitoring of the system is possible via the Internet. This Internet-based monitoring allows ProChem engineers to monitor and troubleshoot the system from any location. Approximately 50,000 gallons per day of machining cutting fluids and cooling waste are processed through the system and approximately 47,000 gallons per day of purified water is produced for reuse in other plant operations. The manufacturer uses this purified water as make-up water for the facility cooling systems, thus reducing the amount of chemical treatment necessary in the cooling towers and reducing overall water purchase costs, saving an average of $475, 000 per year. ProChem Inc. continues to address the immediate and future concerns of the manufacturer. We value our customer’s continued satisfaction and our years of experience have taught us that effective, long-term solutions can be achieved. see our ad page 22
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