Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Technical Sessions
T5: Water Innovation for Sustainable Resource Management: From Circular Economy Solutions to Clean Water Act Compliance
IWC Rep: Michele Funk, P.E., Bechtel, Reston, VA
Session Chair: Otto Morales, Stantec, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Discussion Leader: Donna Murphy, Dupont Water Solutions
Time 1:15 – 5:00 PM
Exploring the Frontiers of Water Management: From Reimagining Wastewater as a Source of Critical Minerals to Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Water Pumping, and Achieving Clean Water Act Compliance through Advanced Ozonation Techniques. This comprehensive overview delves into cutting-edge strategies that revolutionize resource recovery, energy conservation, and water quality enhancement, paving the way for a sustainable future.
IWC 24-45: A Circular Economy for Critical Minerals Via Wastewater Treatment and RO Resource
Erik Desormeaux, Energy Recovery, San Leandro, CA; Eric Kadaj, Energy Recovery, San Leandro, CA; Juan Miguel Pinto, Energy Recovery, San Leandro, CA
This presentation will summarize four demonstration-scale and commercial project examples of using reverse osmosis to concentrate and recover critical minerals and valuable resources from streams that would otherwise be wasted. These include lithium, cobalt and nickel from recycled batteries, ammonia from manure digestate, ammonium sulfate from cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing waste, and magnesium and bromine from seawater brine mining.
Discusser: David Ciszewski, Veolia WTS, Bellevue, WA
IWC 24-46: Saving Energy by Pumping Water Using Permanent Magnet Motors & Drives
Brendan Watson, Grundfos, Monroe, GA; Courtney Tripp and Samantha Perez, Grundfos, Lenexa, KS
Pumps, which are integral to water movement and treatment processes, account for 25% of all electricity consumed by industrial electric motors. By integrating permanent magnet motor technology and variable speed drives with high-efficiency pumps, 37% of pump energy consumption can be saved in an array of applications, including boiler feed, water transport, reverse osmosis, and wash and clean applications. We will discuss how permanent magnet motors and variable speed drive technology are able to offer increased process optimization and efficiency.
Discusser: Daniel Hilson, SAMCO Technologies, Buffalo, NY
IWC 24-47: Wastewater Toxicity Reduction by Ozonation to meet Clean Water Act Requirement
Robert Newton III, De Nora Water Technologies, Sugar Land, TX ; Elizabeth Wong, De Nora Water Technologies, Singapore; Alex Bettinardi, De Nora Water Technologies, Milan, Italy
The Clean Water Act requires control of “Whole Effluent Toxicity” (WET) testing wastewater and its discharge into the environment. WET is the total toxic impact on aquatic organisms from a wastewater source. Wastewater effluents can be required to meet the (WET) standard. Viability of using ozonation to reduce a chemical plant wastewater toxicity was studied with a 50% target reduction. Ozonation is proven to be effective in the wastewater effluent toxicity reduction and meeting the state effluent discharge requirement.
Discusser: Cynthia Wagener, P.E., ExxonMobil Corporation, Spring, TX
IWC 24-48: Water Intensity Reduction Paths to Sustainability
Timothy Eggert, Veolia WTS, Portland, OR ; Dan Harbs, Veolia WTS, Fountain Valley, CA; Robert Hendel, Veolia WTS, Trevose, PA; Matt McEachran, Veolia WTS, Las Vegas, NV
This paper discusses water sustainability with a review of current government policies and standard calculations for measuring water intensity, as well as an overview of the four phases of water intensity reduction. Case studies for cooling, boiler, and wastewater operations will be presented. Since water intensity is often tied to other sustainability indicators, the impact on non-water sustainability elements such as GHG reduction from energy usage will also be discussed, among other impacts.
Discusser: Kirk Ellison, EPRI-Electric Power Research Institute, Charlotte, NC
T6: Refineries: Wastewater Treatment Issues and Managing Biofilms
IWC Rep: Jeff Easton, Ph.D., P.E., ClearStream Environmental, Cottonwood Heights, UT
Session Chair: Bryan Hansen, P.E., Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, MO
Discussion Leader: Jim Summerfield, Purolite, an Ecolab Company, Freeland, MI
Time 1:15 – 5:00 PM
This session covers treatment of various wastewaters present in refineries for reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and for production of a water quality suitable for use in hydrogen hydrolysis. We will also dive into a better understanding of how biofilms adhere to surfaces, how surfactants remove and prevent biofilms, and discover a novel sensor for monitoring of deposition and biofilm risk in heat exchanger surfaces.
IWC 24-49: Renewable Wastewater Treatment Challenges and Solution
Brent Lugo, Baker Hughes, Sugar Land, TX; Sankaran Murugesan, Baker Hughes, Sugar Land, TX; Jim Kiolbassa, Baker Hughes
In renewable biorefineries, dissolved organics increase the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of wastewater, significantly impacting secondary treatment processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This study presents detailed characterization and methods to reduce dissolved organics, particularly COD, in wastewater from biorefineries using various feedstocks. Emphasizing efficient wastewater treatment in renewable fuel production, this paper highlights how understanding these contaminants can help biorefineries proactively address issues.
IWC 24-50: Gulf Coast Refinery Cooling System uses Patented Deposit Sensor Technology for Optimization and Risk Management
Laura Vanvliet, Nalco Water, An Ecolab Company, Houston, TX
Discusser: Patrick Regan, Solenis, Wayne, PA
IWC 24-51: Water Reuse For Sustainable Refinery Upgrade
Thomas E. Higgins, Ph.D., P.E., Worley Group, St. Augustine, FL; Masood Irani, Worley Group, Long Beach, CA; Faysal Khan, Worley Group, Houston, TX
A petroleum company has a project to convert waste oil biofuel. Oils and greases are carboxylic compounds. Conversion to hydrocarbon fuel requires hydrogen. The project will hydrolyze 800 gpm of ultrapure water to produce 600 tons/day of green hydrogen. Two options would provide water, using clean stormwater and reusing plant effluent Three options were evaluated for stormwater, sand filtration, membrane filtration and membrane softening. Two options were evaluated for wastewater treatment: GAC Absorption, membrane filtration and Ion Exchange; and GAC Absorption, membrane filtration, RO and electrodialysis.
For each of these options, process flow diagrams and mass balances were developed using OLI Stream Analyzer. CAPEX and OPEX estimates were prepare for each option using parametric models, factored capacity tables, and factored or escalated quoted costs.
IWC 24-52: Control of Biofilms by Using Adhesion Energy Concept
Duy Nguyen, ChampionX LLC, Sugar Land, TX
T7: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
IWC Rep: Elke Peirtsegaele, ZwitterCo, Inc., Carpenteria, CA
Session Chair: Ashwin Thakkar, Aquatech International, Canonsburg, PA
Discussion Leader: Kenneth Chen, P.E., Brown & Caldwell, Las Vegas, NV
Time 1:15 – 5:00 PM
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) for the various Industrial Wastewater Treatment applications using different technologies, i.e. using Reverse Osmosis (RO), Counter Flow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO), CCRO, as well as Brine Concentration & Evaporation for the treatment of highly concentrated waste. The application goals can be for high recovery, Recyle & Resue, Metals Recovery (i.e. Lithium), wastewater volume reduction for MLD, or environmental compliance. Interesting facts highlighting Lessons Learned from various industries. Session also highlights the CapEX and OpEX optimization using various technologies.
IWC 24-53: Reverse Osmosis Design for Zero or Minimal Liquid Discharge of Industrial Wastewater: Implementation and Lessons Learned
Behrang Pakzadeh, Kiewit Industrial and Water Engineering, Lenexa, KS
This paper presents key insights on optimizing reverse osmosis (RO) systems for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD), crucial for sustainable water management. It discusses challenges and solutions in implementing high-recovery RO processes, emphasizing the importance of pretreatment steps for maximizing water reuse. Case studies from three industrial facilities illustrate practical applications, offering valuable guidance for engineers and policymakers committed to environmental protection and water conservation.
Discusser: Tamim Popalzai, Fluor, Sugarland, TX
IWC 24-54: Leveraging MLD/ZLD Success Across Industries
Toni Bechtel, DuPont Water Solutions, Minneapolis, MN; Simon Pitts, DuPont Water Solutions, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
The implementation of minimum-liquid-discharge (MLD) to reduce the final thermal treatment volume via multi-staged reverse osmosis membranes has proven to be an effective hybrid solution that reduces the cost and energy demand of thermal ZLD. Many industries, which previously had few water-related regulations and an abundant water supply, such as the agricultural sector or microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturers, are facing increasingly stringent local regulations, water scarcity, and increasing resource and material costs. Creative solutions to treat and reuse challenging wastewater streams already exist – we just need to open ourselves to the possibilities.
Discusser: Omkar Lokare, Gradiant, Woburn, MA
IWC 24-55: Enabling ZLD of Cooling Tower Blowdown Utilizing CCRO
Ashesh Vora, DuPont, Marlborough, MA
Historically, treating blowdown waters comprised of high salinity, suspended solids, and proprietary water treatment chemicals has proven to be difficult with traditional reverse osmosis systems. However, the operational benefits of the closed-circuit technology are designed to overcome and mitigate these challenges and deliver a high-water recovery solution. Piloting verified the ability of membrane-based systems to not only meet discharge regulations but produce high-quality water capable of providing suitable reuse water within the facility.
Discusser: Vinod Raje, Aquatech International, Hartland, WI
IWC 24-56: Selection of ZLD Technologies for Industrial Applications
Joseph Tinto, Gradiant Corporation, Seattle, WA; Wing Cho, Gradiant Corporation, Seattle, WA
Water scarcity and corporate sustainability goals are resulting in a wave of high-recovery water treatment and wastewater reclaim facilities. As facility recoveries increase, brine management is often required, and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is increasingly necessary. This paper analyzes CAPEX, OPEX, lead times, etc. for two novel brine concentration technologies, counter flow reverse osmosis (CFRO) and carrier gas extraction (CGE), along with conventional mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) evaporation. Evaluations performed on three common feed chemistries.
Discusser: Yasaman Saedi, Stantec
T8: Solutions in Brine Management – Applications for Mining
IWC Rep: Ed Greenwood, P.Eng., BCEE, WSP Global, Cambridge, ON, Canada
Session Chair: Diane Martini, Burns & McDonell, Chicago, IL
Discussion Leader: Donald Downey, Purolite, an Ecolab Company, Paris, ON, Canada
Time 1:15 – 5:00 PM
Mining wastewater is notorious for being acidic, dissolving high concentrations of salts such as calcium, magnesium, sulfate nitrate and chloride, and containing trace metals like antimony, arsenic, and selenium. These brines share many characteristics with coal pile runoff, produced water, and some industrial wastes and have traditionally been managed in pits or ponds. New applications are being developed and others are being transferred from other industries to tackle these challenges.
This session will review treatment systems that run the gamut from bulk biological treatment for selenium to advanced membrane and other technologies for salts removal. Beginning with pond treatment using saturated rock fill, followed by pond management techniques to remove arsenic, antimony and sulfates, and moving on to pilot testing for thiosalts management technologies, we will close with the exploration of a newer membrane technology for salt removal.
IWC 24-57: An Effective Selenium Passive Removal Process that Meets Mine Closure Challenges – removal of Nitrate and Selenium from Mine-influenced Water using Saturated Rock Fill (SRF) Process
Maria Borja, WSP USA, Denver, CO; Tom Rutkowski, WSP USA, Denver, CO
Seven-month pilot-scale trial of the removal of nitrate and selenium from closure phase mine-influenced water was completed using the SRF process. Results showed an average of 99% of nitrate, 95%, and 94% of dissolved and total selenium were removed, plus optimization of the hydraulic retention time from 10 to approximately 5 days, which will allow cost savings for the implementation of the system at big full-scale at the mine site.
IWC 24-58: Breaking The Salt Cycle: How a Novel Antimony Retrofit Increased Water Treatment Plant Recovery by 50% and saved $3M in Brine Management Controls
Denney Eames, Watertectonics, Everett, WA; Raymond Davis, Hecla Mining Co., NV; Kurt Hansen, Watertectonics, Everett, WA
A Navada gold mine required an upgrade to its water treatment plant to accommodate higher flow rates and percent recovery. This paper covers a novel, non-membrane Antimony removal process which increased recovery from 65% to over 99%. Over three years of operational data are presented, including water quality data, process changes, and solutions to operational challenges. The project ultimately saved over $3 million by avoiding the construction of additional brine storage ponds.
IWC 24-59: Pilot Demonstration of New Tools for Thiosalts Management to Reduce Treatment Costs and Carbon Footprint at a Canadian Mine
H.C. Liang, BQE Water, Vancouver, BC Canada; David Kratochvil, BQE Water, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Kresimir Ljubetic, BQE Water, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Nasrin Mehrjoo, BQE Water, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Mohammadali Shahsavari, BQE Water, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Thiosalts species form through incomplete oxidation of sulphur-bearing minerals in mine waters and metallurgical process waters. Their discharge can exert negative impacts in the receiving environment. Traditional removal methods, such as using biological oxidation or strong chemical oxidants, have limitations for treating mining wastewaters. This paper discusses results from pilot testing that assessed the feasibility of using selective ion exchange and electro-oxidation for managing thiosalts species.
IWC 24-60: RSL Membranes-Technology update with Mining Application
David Bromley, DBE Hytec Ltd., West Vancouver, BC, Canada; Robert Stephenson, Waterstider, Vancouver, BC, Canada
A new mine tailings water treatment process will be presented. At the 2023 IWC, replaceable skin layer (rsl) membranes were introduced as a successful oil and gas produced water treatment process. For mining tailings water, rsl membranes are key to removing electrochemically precipitated dissolved metals. CO2 gas from generator exhaust is atomized to control pH and reduce scaling. Scrubbed oxygen from air is atomized to oxidize iron. Rsl membranes remove sub-micron colloids.