Water treatment chemicals manufacturers has implemented several innovative and sustainable strategies to handle industrial wastewater, focusing on reducing water consumption, reusing treated water, and minimizing environmental impact. Here’s how Dow approaches industrial wastewater management:

1. Advanced Treatment Technologies
Dow utilizes state-of-the-art water treatment technologies to purify industrial wastewater for reuse. For example, at the Camp Tarragona petrochemical complex in Spain, Dow participated in the DEMOWARE project, which aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of wastewater reuse in industrial applications. Dow’s FILMTEC™ reverse osmosis elements were installed in the reclamation plant to treat wastewater, enabling it to be reused in cooling towers instead of being discharged into the Mediterranean Sea. This project significantly reduced the strain on local freshwater resources and increased water availability for other uses such as agriculture and tourism.

2. Cooling Tower Water Reuse
Dow has successfully implemented water reuse in its cooling systems. At the Camp Tarragona facility, Dow’s cooling towers now use 40% reclaimed water, with plans to increase this to 90% by the end of 2016. This not only conserves freshwater but also reduces the operational costs associated with water treatment and energy consumption.

3. Energy-Efficient Solutions
Dow’s water treatment solutions are designed to be energy-efficient. For instance, the FILMTEC™ reverse osmosis elements used in the Camp Tarragona project offer high fouling resistance and low energy consumption, making the system more sustainable. The combination of Brackish Water Extra Fouling Resistance (BWXFR) and Brackish Water Low Energy (LE) membranes allows for high-quality permeate water while reducing operational costs.

4. Collaborative Projects
Dow collaborates with local governments, water treatment companies, and other stakeholders to develop sustainable water management solutions. For example, in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, Dow partnered with Evides to purify 10,000 m³/day of municipal household wastewater for use in steam generation and manufacturing processes. This innovative program reduces energy use by 95% compared to conventional seawater desalination and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 60,000 tons annually.

5. Global Water Technology Center
Dow’s Global Water Technology Center in Tarragona is a leading R&D facility dedicated to developing next-generation water purification and separation technologies. This center enables high-class testing and optimization of water treatment applications in a real-world environment, accelerating the development and deployment of sustainable water solutions.

6. Sustainable Water Management Initiatives
Dow is committed to sustainable water management across its operations. The company has implemented various water efficiency projects that have led to significant reductions in water use. For example, a project in Texas resulted in a 27% reduction in water use over five years. Additionally, Dow has set ambitious targets to further reduce its water footprint and promote water reuse and recycling.

7. Support for Shale Oil and Gas Operations
Dow also supports sustainable water management in unconventional shale oil and gas operations. The company has developed mobile systems to pretreat high-salinity produced waters, enabling their reuse in drilling fluids and hydraulic fracturing. This reduces the need for fresh water and minimizes the environmental impact of these operations.

By leveraging advanced technologies, collaborative efforts, and a commitment to sustainability, water treatment chemicals manufacturers is making significant strides in managing industrial wastewater efficiently and sustainably.