Water is one of the most critical elements used in industrial manufacturing processes. It is essential for coolants, washing, and rinsing, but it is also an overlooked revenue component.
However, if untreated, process water can cause several challenges in metalworking operations:
Efficient process water treatment boils down to key systems that treat, recycle, and reduce process water to improve productivity and compliance and boost bottom-line revenue through expense reduction and process optimization.
“It all comes down to giving you better control over all your processes as a business,” said Jacob Boone, Senior Application Engineer at PRAB. “PRAB equipment helps you find value with more precise chemical dosing systems. You’re optimizing waste haul-away and reducing downtime.”
But it can seem complex without the right equipment. Here is a helpful guide that breaks down the self-contained, automated equipment that reduces manual labor and can keep your water – and operation – in top shape.
The Critical Systems for Effective Process Water Treatment
PRAB’s water treatment equipment – which can be implemented standalone or in unison, depending on the flow application – is specifically designed for your operation’s water usage and disposal needs.
Oil Water Separators
Get rid of free-floating oil to improve downstream water and save on wash water chemicals.
These compact, lightweight systems use a proven, patented method to separate oil from water to less than 15 ppm. The PRAB system features double-packed, porous media for fluid reclamation that helped one customer save nearly $96,000 in hauling and disposal costs.
See the role of oil/water separators in a parts-washing operation.
Ultrafiltration Systems
Remove free-floating oils to reduce haul-away costs and maintain stringent compliance.
PRAB’s Ultrafiltration Systems separate dirt and oil, reduce oily water volumes by as much as 98%, and keep fluid free from impurities. This advanced system filters incoming water, process water, and wastewater with a pressure-driven process to remove particulates down to 0.1 microns, improving efficiency, finished product quality, and compliance.
See how Ultrafiltration works in a multi-stream industrial wastewater treatment system.
Vacuum Evaporators
Optimal blanket treatment device that removes dissolved metals, minerals, BODs and CODs.
The critical function of vacuum evaporators is to distill process water and wastewater for reuse or safe discharge. This is an efficient fluid waste management solution that matches the material, and the application needs to give you high-quality water to use in-process.
Example of vacuum evaporators in waste recycling.
Reverse Osmosis Equipment
Eliminate scale buildup and extend rinse bath life with high-quality water to use in-process.
With reverse osmosis, you can filter over 99% of salts and suspended matter from incoming water, process water, and wastewater. Ideal as a final process for industrial and metalworking applications, this durable equipment uses a proven membrane technology to treat a wide range of capacities for fast ROI and maximum value.
How a reverse osmosis system fits into a stamping or machining wastewater system.
Click here to see more real-world process water treatment diagrams.
“We spec everything with operation and maintenance in mind,” Boone said. “PRAB equipment is focused on optimizing your operating expenses. We help make operations as low-cost as can be and give you better control and value with all your processes.”
With more than 70 years of industry experience, PRAB’s expertise, engineering, and innovative process water treatment solutions have helped manufacturers reduce operating costs, save significantly on new fluid expenses, and improve productivity.
To learn more about optimizing your process water treatment program with the right equipment for your application, reach out to a PRAB expert today
