Industrial Water and Wastewater Suspended Solids Filtration
Water is critical for every aspect of life as we know it today. Water filtration is also critical. We filter the water before we use it; and we filter it after we use so it can be used again.
In the US alone, we use over 350 million gallons of water per day. Approximately 90% of the water is used in three major categories – power generation, irrigation, and domestic use. The other 10% is used for industry, mining and other miscellaneous uses. Our water supply comes from two primary sources – groundwater (wells) and surface water (lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs). The water supply contains silt, sediment, suspended solids and other contaminants. Regardless of the intended use, virtually all this water must be filtered prior to use! (Note: Some of the water used in industrial facilities is treated by the city or municipality prior to distribution. Typically, the city water is much lower in suspended solids. However, the city water still may contain suspended solids that are not suitable for certain industrial processes.)
Wastewater is generated from domestic usage that must be treated. Many industrial processes also generate wastewater that must be treated prior to disposal or reuse. The type of treatment is dependent upon the wastewater makeup, discharge requirements and/or the intended reuse. However, in most every case, the removal of suspended solids and particulate matter is required as either a pretreatment and/or post-treatment. Regardless of how we use the water or where we send the water after we use it, the water must also be filtered!
ZGF technology is utilized to remove suspended solids from water to protect equipment, ensure compliance and reduce operating costs
Industrial Water is a catch-all term. Industrial water is used for HVAC and Process Cooling (i.e. Cooling Towers, Chillers, Intercoolers, Condensers & Heat Exchangers), Process applications (i.e. Industrial Parts washing, etc.), for Pump Seal Water and for Make-up Water / Feedwater.
There are several processes including membrane systems that require feedwater with low suspended solids levels. The demand for high quality / high purity water is increasing. Membranes have emerged as the leading technology for water and wastewater treatment. The demand for clean, high quality water, more stringent regulatory regulations and increased environmental concerns make membrane technology the best available technology for many water and wastewater treatment operations.
Ultrafiltration (UF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes are utilized for a variety of water treatment applications including the following.
- Municipal and potable water generation from seawater, surface water and ground water
- Wastewater treatment from municipalities and industries such food/beverage, mining, pulp & paper, chemical and metal finishing
- Boiler feed water for power generation, general industry, and the oil & gas industry
- Recycled water from municipal and industrial operations
- Process water for the food/beverage industry, metal finishing, and other applications
Regardless of the specific application, UF and RO membranes require consistent and reliable pre-filtration. Pre-filtration is necessary to:
- Prevent physical damage to the membranes,
- Optimize membrane recovery and productivity,
- Minimize membrane fouling and cleaning, the more frequently the membranes are cleaned, the more often they need to be replaced, and
- Extend membrane life.
- Reduce membrane system total operating and life-cycle costs
Proper pre-filtration is prudent and often a required investment. Each application will determine the specific pre-filtration requirements, the recommended guideline is:
- UF membrane pre-filtration – 50 µ to 200 µ
- RO membrane pre-filtration – 5 µ to 50 µ
- Cartridge and membrane cartridge pre-filtration – 20 µ to 200 µ
Industrial Wastewater (and wastewater analyzers)
Many industrial processes generate wastewater that must be treated prior to disposal or reuse. The type of treatment is dependent upon the wastewater makeup, discharge requirements and/or the intended reuse. However, in most every case, the removal of suspended solids and particulate matter is required as either a pretreatment and/or post-treatment.
Some operations utilize automatic analyzers to monitor specific regulated parameters. These analyzers require feed streams relatively free of suspended solids. If suspended solids are introduced to the analyzer, the equipment could be damaged, and/or the results could be inconsistent.
ZGF technology removes contaminants effectively and efficiently
When the suspended solids loading is high and when there is a significant amount of sand or other large particles, centrifugal separators can be part of an overall solution. Centrifugal separators are effective at reducing the solids loading, specifically the medium to large sized suspended solids and sand particles (50 - 75 microns, and larger). The ZGF Tornado separator is the future of centrifugal separation technology. The Tornado is a simple but extremely innovative device. The Tornado has no moving parts and no media. Tornado effectively removes particles without any regular maintenance.
The innovative separator utilizes an internal blade design. The blades create a unique and beneficial flow path through the separator that increases the “G – Force”, resulting in more effective and efficient particle removal.
If you want to learn more about ZGF Tornado technology, then download the Tornado Product Data Sheet or click on the Tornado animation link to view the Tornado separator in operation. The animation shows how the patented blade design results in increased particle velocity and higher applied “G-forces”. As the fluid spins through the length of the separator, the particles are forced to the outer wall to the low velocity solids collection zone at the bottom of the separator. The clean fluid is directed back up and into “clean zone slots” and out the top of the separator.
Effective removal of the smaller and lighter suspended solids from industrial water, membrane feedwater, wastewater or analyzer feedwater can be extremely critical. Ideally, you want a positive barrier that will capture and remove particles large and small, and light and heavy. You also want to minimize maintenance and labor which would make bag and cartridge filtration a poor choice. The Zero Gravity Filters permanent media Spring Filter is a coil wound with a variable pitch that allows the filter element to open evenly from top to bottom ensuring that all contaminants are completely cleaned off the filter element with every backwash. The ZGF Spring Filter is manufactured with precision raised nidges. These nidges create an absolute gap that allow the Spring Filter to capture > 99% of spherical particles larger than the micron rating of the filter.
ZGF Spring Filter technology effectively and efficiently captures and removes the contaminants from the water and is:
- fully automatic – the self-cleaning process is initiated based on pressure differential, and is accomplished in seconds without interrupting flow to the process
- consistent & reliable
- non-disposable
- energy efficient – operates on line pressure, utilizing a minimal amount of electricity and air during backwash
- environmentally responsible – uses <0.75 % of total water volume for backwash
- able to remove particles down to 20 micron
- able to optimize membrane performance, minimize membrane fouling and maximize membrane life by capturing and removing contaminants from the feedwater
View the Spring Filter video to see how all the contaminants are removed from the Spring Filter during backwash when the filter element opens and shimmers.
ZGF technology provides value
ZGF Spring Filter technology is the ideal choice for capturing and removing suspended solids from industrial water and wastewater. It can be used as a pre-filter or polishing filter in your water and / or wastewater operations. ZGF Spring Filter technology is the ideal choice for protection of critical, valuable and expensive membrane systems. (ZGF products are fully compatible with seawater.) If true life-cycle costs are considered, typically the payback on ZGF Spring Filter technology can be realized in less than 1 year. This is based on ZGF Spring Filter technology:
- having no moving parts,
- operating costs of less than $100 per year, and
- a 5-year guarantee on the Spring Filter element.
Click on ZGF Phoenix vs Bag Filter to see a how a ZGF customer was able realize a simple payback in 8 months.
ZGF technology can provide significant value in several operations and applications. Click on Success Stories to jump to the Success Stories / Case Studies page to learn how ZGF technology provides value.
Click on the link below to learn how one customer benefited from recycling their process water utilizing ZGF Spring Filter technology.
ZGF Spring Filter pre-filtration technology is the ideal choice for protection of critical, valuable and expensive membrane systems. (ZGF products are fully compatible with seawater.) If true life-cycle costs are considered, typically the payback on ZGF Spring Filter technology can be realized in less than 1 year. This is based on ZGF Spring Filter technology:
- having no moving parts,
- operating costs of less than $100 per year, and
- a 5-year guarantee on the Spring Filter element.
ZGF Spring Filter technology can be utilized in your water and wastewater operations as a:
- pre-filter to protect membrane and ion exchange systems
- pre-filter to extend the life of expensive low micron cartridge filters
- polishing filter downstream of a clarifier or dissolved air flotation system
- pre-filter to clarifier or dissolved air flotation device to reduce polymer usage
- primary filter to reduce suspended solids in process and process cooling applications
- primary filter to reduce suspended solids prior to reuse / recycling
Historically, people have used disposable media such bag and cartridge filtration to remove suspended solids. The cost of using disposable bag and cartridge filters can add up quickly! Costs include:
- Purchasing bags and cartridges
- Disposing of bags and cartridges
- Changing bags and cartridges
- Shipping, handling and warehousing
- Issuing purchase orders and processing invoices
To get a better understanding on where ZGF Spring Filter technology can provide value in your Industrial Water and / or Wastewater operations, download the Process Diagram, Industrial Process Water and Process Diagram, Membrane Protection / Pre-Filter.
If you want to learn more about ZGF EZ Clean technology, then click on one of the links to download the:
View the Spring Filter video to see how all the contaminants are removed from the Spring Filter during backwash when the filter element opens and shimmers.
Simplicity, consistency, reliability and the lowest cost of ownership make ZGF Spring Filter technology the best solution and value when you need to remove suspended solids from your Industrial Water and Wastewater!
ZGF is your preferred partner.
Filtration should not be a burden.
Filtration should be a tool that improves quality and reduces cost.
Let us help you meet your objectives and make your job easier!
ZGF has the experience and dedication to customer satisfaction that you are looking for. Contact us or request a quote today.