Indian brewery reduces freshwater intake increases production with EDR technology
A beer production facility in western India sought to reduce the amount of water intake needed to produce one  bottle of beer. Reducing raw water utilization could  help  the  plant increase production. They also wanted a solution that would simultaneously address the high total dissolved solids (TDS) in their reverse osmosis (RO) reject water.
Based on the unique technical requirements, SUEZ suggested that the plant use a 160 m3/day electro dialysis reversal (EDR) system. This technology reduces freshwater intake by recycling RO reject water in the plant. SUEZ’s KlarAid* PC1192 coagulant dosing system was suggested for pre-treatment to ensure effective EDR performance.
EDR is an advanced water treatment process used to remove dissolved solids - in the form of mineral ions - from solution. It is based on the principles governing the behaviour of an ionic solution when it is subject to direct current (DC) potential. When a current is applied to the system, channels where the cation transfer membrane is moving towards the cathode, and channels where the anion transfer membrane is moving towards the anode are depleted of ions. In the adjacent channels, the membranes do not allow migration in the direction the ions are drawn. Thus, alternating channels are formed of deionized product
water and ion-rich concentrate stream. The electrical polarity, and thus the demineralized and concentrate flow passages, are automatically reversed 2 to 4 times every hour, which results in a reversal of direction of ion movement. This provides ‘electrical flushing’ of scale forming ions and colloidal matter from the membrane surfaces.
The SUEZ EDR systems minimize the off-spec product time by using phased reversal. Total reversal water is only that contained in a single stage in the system instead of that contained in the entire system. The off-spec time is reduced to that required for the water to pass through one stage regardless of the number of stages in operation.
Table: Project Summary
| End User: | Brewery |
| Location: | Western India |
| Commissioned: | 2012 |
| Application: | Recycling of RO reject |
| Feedwater Source: | RO reject water |
| Feedwater Quality: | TDS = 3000 ppm |
| Product Quality: | TDS < 700 ppm |
| Water Recovery: | 90% |
| Capacity: | 160 m3/day |
| Technology: | EDR recycling |
When the EDR system was put into operation it significantly improved water availability in the production process; the brewery achieved 90% water recovery and lowered TDS values.
EDR technology achieves high water recovery for water scarce areas and SUEZ’s wasterwater EDR system reclaims more than 20 million gallons per day (75,000 m3/day) of wastewater for other uses.
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To learn how SUEZ can help solve your wastewater challenges, contact your SUEZ representative or visit us at www.suezwatertechnologies.com