Case Study - Manufacturer

The Problem

A regional electro plating manufacturer was under increasing pressure from their local water authority due to the quality of effluent being discharged from site. They were also faced with increased costs, as they were having to regularly tanker problem waste-streams away, particularly from a copper-based process.

The Solution

Following a visit from B & V, the factory was able to introduce a programme of continual improvement. Initially, the old chemistry used for treating the effluent waste was updated by replacing the hazardous and straining ferric coagulant for an aluminium chloride-based coagulant. This change also dramatically reduced the amount of sludge produced. An alternative polymer was then introduced at a new point in the treatment process, with dramatic results in terms of assisting in taking out effluent solids.

The Result

Once these changes had been in place for about a month and all parties were happy with the results, other problem waste-streams were introduced to the new treatment programme. All the waste-streams were able to be treated and the resulting sludge, now with an increase in metals such a copper, were able to be solid, so that the metals could be recovered rather than sending the waste to landfill.

The Future

The final discharge water is now so clean that this year a further process is being introduced to the effluent water. All the effluent water will now be further treated by a physical process of filtration, and then treated so it can be recycled. The plan will be to have a plant that can cope with 100% recycling of 300 cubic metres per day. With the cost of water being a double charge to site, firstly of intake and then as effluent, it is estimated that £50,000 will be saved by site introducing the aforementioned treatment programme. The recycle stage could save the site over £100,000 a year, with a capital outlay and first year running costs of less than £50,000.

For more information on B & V Effluent Services, please contact our offices on 0844 372 7344 or e-mail us on enquiries@bvwater.co.uk