Powder Flocculants in Wastewater Treatment: Aiding Sustainable Water Recycling Goals
The World Economic Forum released the "Global Risks Report 2023" on January 11, 2023, highlighting ten major survival risks for the next decade, with six of them related to the environment. Climate change poses a significant challenge, and the United Nations' ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concept has become a crucial indicator for assessing corporate social responsibility and sustainable operations. Particularly in regions like Taiwan facing high water resource risks, companies need to actively implement ESG practices, especially in water resource management, to ensure sustainable development and social responsibility.
Taiwan has been recognized by various international rating agencies as a country with a high water resource risk. Future climate phenomena may become more normalized, requiring businesses to build resilient business models to address unstable rainfall and water supply. Achieving "net-zero emissions" is not only a response to ESG indicators but also a necessary measure to ensure the availability and sustainability of water resources.
Companies like TSMC and ASE, significant water users, have already implemented wastewater recycling systems, contributing to water conservation goals and fulfilling commitments not to discharge any non-compliant wastewater.
Various technologies and methods are employed for wastewater recycling, involving filtration, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, ion exchange, activated carbon adsorption, advanced oxidation systems, and membrane bioreactors. However, these technologies require pretreatment of wastewater with chemical agents before entering the treatment facilities.
The reuse of treated water contributes to alleviating the demand on natural water sources and reduces pressure on fresh water resources, making it an essential approach to sustainable water resource management. The application of powdered coagulants enables the practical implementation of water reuse. Below, we will explore the application of powdered coagulants in industrial wastewater treatment for water reuse.
The basic principle of powdered coagulants:
The application of powdered coagulants aids in achieving the practice of wastewater recycling. Powdered coagulants work by forming coagulated particles in water, effectively adsorbing and aggregating impurities and particles suspended in the water. This coagulation process allows for the easy separation and removal of impurities, contributing to water purification and recycling.
Key points regarding the application of powdered coagulants in industrial wastewater treatment for water recycling:
- Efficient suspended solids removal: Powdered coagulants rapidly bind solid particles suspended in industrial wastewater, forming flocs for easy separation and removal.
- Minimal microbial impact: Compared to traditional water treatment methods, powdered coagulants have a lesser impact on microorganisms, reducing biological pollution and enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency.
- Efficient Suspended Solids Removal: Powdered coagulants have the ability to rapidly form fine flocs, effectively binding impurities suspended in water and facilitating their swift sedimentation. This process enables efficient removal of suspended solids.
- Broad applicability: Powdered coagulants exhibit high flexibility and are suitable for treating various industrial wastewaters, including manufacturing, chemical, and food processing industries, addressing the diverse characteristics of different industries' wastewater.
- Rapid settling and separation: Powdered Flocculants can quickly form fine flocs, facilitating swift settling and separation processes, ultimately improving treatment efficiency.
- Economic cost: Powdered coagulants generally have lower costs compared to other advanced water treatment technologies, contributing to overall cost-effectiveness in water treatment operations.
