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WASTEWATER POLISHING SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL REUSE IN A BREWERY
CONTEXT AND NEED
A brewery implemented an ultrafiltration system for reusing treated wastewater, allowing the water to be reused in non-critical stages of the production process.
However, a persistent problem limited the system's performance. The conventional wastewater treatment plant, which fed the ultrafiltration membranes, produced treated water with significant quality fluctuations. At times, the COD was higher. At other times, total suspended solids or turbidity exceeded the ideal.
These fluctuations were detrimental to the ultrafiltration membranes, sensitive and high-value components. Suspended particles and residual organic material caused fouling on the membrane surface, reducing permeate flow, increasing the frequency of chemical cleanings, and shortening the lifespan of the modules.
The brewery needed a solution that would act as a protective barrier between the conventional treatment plant and the ultrafiltration system. Something that would promote effluent polishing, ensuring consistency in output parameters and operational stability for the membranes.
GIGWATER'S SOLUTION
To meet this specific demand, GIGWATER implemented a physicochemical polishing system strategically positioned between the effluent already treated by the conventional plant and the inlet of the ultrafiltration system.
The heart of the solution is a lamellar clarifier. This equipment uses physical principles of accelerated sedimentation through inclined modules, which increase the surface area for settling without occupying a large physical space. The lamellae promote the separation of remaining suspended solids that were still present in the effluent after conventional treatment.
Additionally, the physicochemical system applies coagulating and flocculant agents that aggregate fine particles into larger flocs, facilitating their settling in the lamellae. This process significantly reduces residual COD, total suspended solids, and effluent turbidity.
TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS
The polishing solution developed by GIGWATER provided significant gains for the brewery in Guarulhos.
REDUCTION OF COD, SUSPENDED SOLIDS AND TUBIDITY
FEWER AGGRESSIVE CHEMICALS ON THE MEMBRANES
LONGER LIFESPAN FOR THE ULTRAFILTRATION SYSTEM
REDUCED NEED FOR INTERVENTIONS
