Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Technical Sessions
Time: 1:15 – 5:00 PM
T5: Hydro Harmony Reclaimed –Ā Tackling the Challenges of Reclaimed Water
IWC Rep: Derek Henderson, P.E., MSc, Duke Energy Corporation, Raleigh, NC
Session Chair: Swamy Margan, Halliburton, Houston, TX
Discussion Leader: Brian Arntsen, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, Oakville, ON, Canada
Water reuse isn’t just an option; it’s theĀ foundation of sustainabilityĀ for high-water consumers across industries. Yet, its widespread adoption faces significant hurdles. The success of any water reuse initiative hinges on a complex interplay ofĀ technological, ideological, social, and commercial factors.
Modernizing infrastructure, securing upfront investment, and navigating complex regulations are major obstacles that often derail promising new technologies. This session dives deep into the unique water reuse challenges confronting theĀ public transportation, automobile, and industrial sectors.Ā Our speakers will unveil novel approaches and discuss models that effectively harmonize diverse challenges, varied contaminant profiles, and energy-intensive processes. These solutions will foster broader acceptance, promisingĀ resilience against water stressĀ and firmly establishing water reuse as an indispensable practice for sustainable industrial growth.
IWC 25-45: Opportunities for Sustainable Water Recycle and Reuse in a Large Industrial Facility
Aaron Soleski, Nutrien, Carseland, Alberta, Canada; Ryan Upshall, Nutrien, Carseland, Alberta, Canada
The authors have found innovative ways to manage their multiple water streams on site, over the life of the facility, which has allowed them to drastically reduce the volume of wastewater that needed to be treated and provided an additional benefit. The authors aim to share their learnings and opportunities with other similar users to challenge their process and look for simple reductions in their waste stream that result in significant volumes reduction over time.
IWC 25-46: Sustainable Industrial Water Management
Cord Nunez, HPNow, Salinas, CA; Arnau Verdaguer Casadevall, HPNow, SĆøborg, Denmark; Wayne Powell, HPNow, SĆøborg, Denmark
Industrial facilities produce large volumes of wastewater, much of which is reusable. This paper introduces an innovative solution: on-site hydrogen peroxide (HāOā) generation using water, air, and electricity. Applied in advanced oxidation processes, this approach enables effective, chemical-free contaminant treatment. Case studies from manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and data centers demonstrate successful water reuse in cooling and production. The outcome: reduced freshwater consumption, lower disposal costs, and a significant advancement in sustainable industrial water management.
Discusser: David Shin, Hydranautics, Oceanside, CA
IWC 25-47: Navigating the Challenges in Automotive Water Systems
Rick Lancaster, Shelton Associates, Lancaster, PA; Max Brefeld, Toyota Motor Corporation, Georgetown, KY
As water conservation targets tighten, the automotive industry faces mounting challenges in managing water use, driven by sustainability goals, regulatory shifts, and electrification. This presentation explores how a major OEM and a consulting firm collaborated to implement innovative, flexible treatment strategies that dramatically improved water reuse and efficiency. Case studies highlight solutions like adaptable RO systems and phosphate control, demonstrating a scalable, data-driven approach to sustainable water management in rapidly evolving production environments.
IWC 25-48: Reverse Osmosis System and Water Reuse in Steel Manufacturing
Tom Horn, Kleinfelder Water Technologies, McClure, OH
The NorthStar BlueScope Steel facility located in Ohio uses potable water from Lake Erie (via City of Toledo) in its manufacturing processes. Kleinfelder Water Technologies worked with NorthStar to upgrade its onsite equipment while minimizing the environmental impacts through water recycling options. Kleinfelder designed, supplied and commissioned an Ultrafiltration System to polish IWT effluent followed by Reverse Osmosis to provide reuse water for cooling tower makeup improving sustainability while lowering operating costs.
T6: Taking the Waste out of Wastewater.Ā Novel Treatment Approaches
IWC Rep: William Kennedy, P.E., Stantec, Charlotte, NC
Session Chair: Zhendong Liu, LANXESS Corporation, Birmingham, NJ
Discussion Leader: Shannon Brown, HDR, Omaha, NE
The essence of wastewater treatment is taking the waste out of wastewater and making the treated water in compliance with ever-tightening discharge limits.Ā While maintainingĀ a stable operation is a high priority, engineers are also constantly looking for new ways to improve efficiency and productivity.Ā This session covers many aspects of wastewater treatment activities, with a focus on novel treatment approaches.Ā Several case studies will be highlighted, including an evaluation of new technologies for sulfate reduction, a novel biological mobile biofilm treatment, a unique design for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and an investigation of a biological treatment system upset.Ā
IWC 25-49: Investigating Removal Options for Tightening Sulfate Discharge Limits
Houston Flippin, Brown and Caldwell, Nashville, TN; Melanie Blake, Brown and Caldwell, Boston, MA; Samantha Albert, Brown and Caldwell, Boston, MA; Krystal Perez, Brown and Caldwell, Seattle, WA; Rebecca Maco, Brown and Caldwell, Seattle, WA
Investigation evaluated non-biological alternatives to reduce sulfate in cooling tower blowdown from 1,000 mg/L to 400 mg/L. Selected alternative was chemical conditioning, dual media filtration, cartridge filtration, nanofiltration, and calcium sulfate precipitation from nanofiltration reject, and blending with permeate prior to discharge. Treatability testing was vital in assessing the impacts on required pretreatment and effluent sulfate achievable under widely varying chemical provider recommendations.
Discusser: Thomas Higgins, Ph.D., P.E., Worley Engineering, Saint Augustine, FL
IWC 25-50: Cost Effective Capacity Increase – Wastewater Treatment Intensification with a Hybrid, Mobile Biofilm Technology
Graig Rosenberger, Nuvoda, Raleigh, NC
The Mobile Organic Biofilmā¢ (MOB) process is a hybrid wastewater treatment technology using plant-based media to allow biofilm growth and enhance biological nutrient removal. Media is added and retained with a rotary drum screen, enabling rapid, downtime-free installation. As biofilms mature, more fixed-growth biomass supports treatment intensification and stable nutrient removal, even at higher loads. This approach increases capacity and efficiency without expanding tank volume. Two case studies demonstrate MOBās retrofit potential for facility upgrades.
IWC 25-51: Finding Permitting Solutions to Engineering Problems: A Case for Regulatory Mixing Zones and Anti-Backsliding Exemptions
Monique Latalladi, P.E., WSP USA Inc., Smyrna, GA
A mixing zone is an allocated impact zone where water quality criteria can be exceeded as long as acutely toxic conditions are preventedĀ (U.S. EPA, 1991)ā. Regulatory mixing zones may be approved for industrial wastewater discharges that allow constituent concentrations to exceed instream water quality criteria within a designated area. A multiport diffuser produces more rapid mixing and reduces the mixing area and volume within the river to reduce constituent concentrations to within regulatory requirements.
Discusser: Jared Sorensen, ClearStream Environmental, Riverton, UT
IWC 25-52: Anatomy Of An Industrial Direct Discharge WWTP Toxic Shock Incident
William Celenza, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL ; Sean O’Mara, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL; Vica Otrubina, Burns & McDonnell, Chicago, IL
Presented are events leading to discovery of a toxic heat transfer fluid leak and steps taken to isolate, remove, and perform an online restart of a completely mixed two-stage activated sludge treatment process for the removal of BOD, TSS, and O&G under a direct discharge NPDES permit. To prevent recurrence of this incident the Facility performed a Cause Mapping (CM) exercise that included a list of options to be used as preventative measures.
Discusser: Julia Mercer P.E., Newterra, Pittsburgh, PA
T7: Rare Earth Elements: Innovative Recovery and Processing Technologies for a Sustainable Future
IWC Rep: John Yen, Marmon Industrial Water, East Brunswick, NJ
Session Chair: John Peichel, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, Chaska, MN
Discussion Leader: Thomas Igou Ph.D., WaterTectonics, Everett, WA
Explore cutting-edge developments in rare earth element recovery and processing technologies, from mature water treatment adaptations to novel membrane solutions. This session showcases breakthrough approaches in extracting valuable materials from industrial wastewaters, acid mine drainage, and brine streams, addressing critical supply chain challenges while promoting sustainable practices. Join industry experts as they present details on solutions for the growing demand of essential elements.
IWC 25-53: Rare Earth Metals Recovery – Maturing Technologies
Brad Buecker, Buecker & Associates, LLC, Lawrence, KS
IWC 25-54: Ready-to-ship dewatering cell for rare earth element enriched AMD precipitate
Iuri Santos, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA; Zachary Houde, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV; Hunter Vance, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV; Nathan DePriest, West Virginia Water Research Institute, Morgantown, WV; John Quaranta, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
This research is investigating the feasibility of a ready-to-ship dewatering unit for rare-earth-enriched acid mine drainage precipitate (HPC). The dewatering unit consists of a trailer lined with geosynthetics and panels embedded with wicking fibers for enhanced dewatering. The dewatering unit was deployed at a site near Morgantown, WV, for testing. The results demonstrated virtually 100% filtration efficiency and a dewatering flow rate of 9.1 l/min (2.4 gpm)
IWC 25-55: Lithium Recovery from Brine Stream: Introducing a Novel Reverse Osmosis Membrane to Achieve an Ultra-high Lithium Concentration
Tirtha Chatterjee, DuPont Water Solutions, Wilmington, DE; Denise Haukkala, DuPont Water Solutions, Salt Lake City, UT; Brittany Fisher, DuPont Water Solutions, MN; Caleb Funk, DuPont Water Solutions, MN; Guillem Gilabert-Oriol, Tarragona, Spain; Megan Low, Saltworks Technologies, BC, Canada; Derek Mendel, Saltworks, BC, Canada
Global decarbonization and electrification efforts necessitate accelerated and sustainable lithium production. Direct lithium extraction recovers lithium through a series of purification and concentration steps. Reverse osmosis is used to concentrate lithium, and the ion concentration factor is limited by the osmotic pressure in the feed side. In this context we will introduce a novel RO membrane with tailored solute and solvent transport properties to overcome osmotic pressure driven limitation.
IWC 25-56: DLE Eluate Conditioning and Concentration Optimization: A Case Study
Haira Balaggan, Aquatech International LLC., Canonsburg, PA; Mahesh Bhadane, Aquatech International LLC., Canonsburg, PA; Arun Mittal, Aquatech International LLC., Canonsburg, PA
Discusser: Adrian Brozell, Ph.D., LG Water Solutions, Torrance, CA
T8: Cooling Water
IWC Rep: Max Brefeld, Toyota Motor North America, Georgetown, KY
Session Chair: Wesley Sipe, P.E, Michael Baker International, Moon Township, PA
Discussion Leader: Horace āQuintā Gordon V, Bechtel Power Corporation, Reston, VA
IWC 25-57: Novel Cooling Water Treatment Program Provides Significant Water Savings and Operational Improvements
Bachan Ramharack, Solenis, Industrial Solutions, Latin America; Davi Pires Richetti, Solenis, Industrial Solutions, Latin America
A large petrochemical complex in Brazil was experiencing frequent cooling system corrosion and fouling related failures. The facility also needed to reduce its overall water usage. These challenges were successfully addressed using innovative chemical treatment technologies and control strategies. Equipment life expectancy has increased from less than four years to greater than 20 years and there is currently a sustainable water savings of greater than 1250 m3/day.
Discusser: Daniel Wilson, Kiewit, Austin, TX
IWC 25-58: Considerations for Fouling Mitigation in Cooling Water Systems: A Methodology for Increasing Operational Efficiency
Haley White, Bechtel, Reston, VA; Quint Gordon, Bechtel, Reston, VA; Michele Funk, Bechtel, Reston, VA
The resurgence of nuclear power necessitates a fresh look at biofouling prevention in cooling water systems at power plants. Efficient energy production in power plants relies on effective operation of heat transfer systems. One aspect of ensuring optimal heat transfer is mitigation of fouling. Here, typical components susceptible to marine fouling at nuclear plants are evaluated for biofouling prevention strategies, and a methodology for selecting a fouling prevention program for power plants is proposed.
IWC 25-59: Demystifying and Recognition of Direct and Indirect MIC Mechanisms and Contribution to Localized Corrosion in Water Systems
Edward Beardwood, Beardwood Consulting & Technologies Inc., London, Ontario, Canada
The paper will discuss the finger prints associated with direct and indirect microbiological influenced corrosion (MIC); thus, allowing for the assessment for potential MIC activity that has influenced the corrosion rates and type detected. All fouling, except inorganic scaling from insitu and exsitu crystallization, lead to localized corrosion. As a result, many inspections of surface corrosion can be misdiagnosed as to the cause of such corrosion and the corrective action required for future avoidance.
IWC 25-60: Non-Phosphorus Cooling Tower Treatment improving heat transfer and reducing environmental impact at Gulf Coast refinery
Dan Harbs, Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions, Costa Mesa, CA; Johnny Dorminey, Chevron Products Company USA, Pascagoula, MS
IWC 25-R-T8: Environmentally Sustainable Industrial Cooling Water Treatment Programs
Santanu Banerjee, ChemTreat, Glen Allen, VA