New technological advancements and increasing environmental pressure are reshaping the ways water treatment is approached globally.

Industrial processes for water treatment have been revolutionized in recent years, and further innovation is needed amidst tightening environmental regulations and climate-related challenges. Widely established solutions in the industry are being replaced by new innovations, catering to the needs of the evolving industrial landscape.

Greener water treatment solutions

With drought and other climate issues affecting the world, optimizing water use and minimizing waste is more crucial than ever. This translates to circular economy solutions that recycle all wastewater. One emerging trend is zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems, which remove wastewater through recycling and reuse, thus making them particularly suitable for industries with stringent environmental regulations.

Product manufacturers and industrial facilities are also faced with removing impurities locally before discharging the water to wastewater facilities due to increasing and stricter regulation. We are also seeing growing investments in equipment that is more suitable for future-oriented, regulation-compliant water purification. Those who have to address their water treatment processes already will do their best to build new or update existing water treatment processes to remove the need for further renovation in the near future. This means they will need to heavily exceed current requirements while hoping that future requirements will stay within the treatment capabilities.

There is an increased interest in reusing process waters within the factories as technical waters, or even back to process waters again. After discharging, the purified process waters can, for example, be used for cleaning the factory and its equipment. This is cost-saving and friendlier to the environment. Machinery that allows water sterilization chemicals to be manufactured on-site at the factory streamlines the water circulation process and leads to less transports of the sterilization chemicals.

Organic and biodegradable products

There is a dire need for organic and biodegradable solutions that do not release chemicals into the environment. More environmentally-friendly alternatives to iron- and aluminium-based coagulants and plastic-based flocculants are emerging. For example, biopolymers are an attractive solution to wastewater management due to their organic consistency and effectiveness in removing pollutants. Electrochemical water treatment, which replaces chemical coagulation altogether and taps into electricity, is another viable solution, though not yet the most suitable for high-volume applications due to its relatively high CAPEX and OPEX costs.

Digitalization

IoT (Internet of Things) provides a world of new opportunities in water treatment. It has already been successfully used to monitor water quality, along with external conditions that also affect the treatment processes. IoT-based technology will be a valuable tool for making informed decisions and chemical adjustments in water processing. It will enable real-time monitoring and instant configurations to operating parameters based on variation. This allows minimizing chemical consumption in accordance with actual needs and optimizing the overall process at any given time.

Digitalization in the water industry gives consumers valuable insights into their water usage patterns, allowing them to make informed choices and adopt more water-efficient practices.

Recycling materials

Activated carbon treatment is a traditional water treatment method for removing impurities from waters. It has a versatile range of effective applications, from drinking water treatment to process waters and even air treatment applications. As activated carbon is used almost anywhere, the disposal of the carbon is a current topic. Although carbon has good heat value, single using activated carbon poses environmental concerns, thus presenting a great case for material recycling.

In most cases, activated carbon can be collected after use and taken to heat treatment – instead of burning the carbon, it destroys the impurities in the carbon pores. This can reduce the environmental footprint by even 80% compared to single use carbon taken to incineration after exhaustion.

Other material recycling trends revolve around processes that produce a valuable side product. For example, sludge from a treatment facility could be reused in farming as a crop nutrient. The capturing and utilization of phosphorus, among other beneficial components of wastewater streams, is seeing particular attention. Generating biochar from the sludge is also trending due to its new range of application possibilities.

Reactivating activated carbon has multiple advantages for both the customer and the environment. Studies have shown that reactivating carbon creates six times less carbon dioxide emissions than manufacturing and using new virgin carbon. Reactivating carbon and using replacement carbon help reach the activated carbon’s required qualities in a cost‑efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Service models

Water treatment is increasingly being sought as a service, easing the pressure to make large investments into their own equipment. Operators are turning to rental equipment as an option to purchased ones to avoid heavy investment costs and maintenance concerns. By purchasing water treatment as a service, companies can often meet short-term requirements, and companies are increasingly interested in renting such equipment for long-term use as well. This allows them to focus on their main processes and objectives, leaving water treatment to companies that are experts in the field.

New membrane filter technology

New membrane filtration technologies are becoming widespread. Reverse osmosis and increasingly efficient membranes are becoming common due to their energy efficiency as well as durability. The future will likely see mixed applications combining different technologies, such as the utilization of ceramic membranes to process and recirculate sand filter backwash waters, providing opportunities for significant water savings and carbon footprint reduction. Smart membranes with self-cleaning properties and real-time monitoring capabilities have already been envisioned, promising more cost-efficient maintenance and longer system lifecycles.

PFAS and other micropollutants are a shared concern

Micropollutants, tiny chemical substances used throughout industries, pose a major environmental concern despite their small concentrations. They are released from pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides and industrial chemicals, among others. Effective water treatment is in a crucial position to prevent their widespread effects on the ecosystem. As traditional water treatment methods have not proven successful in removing micropollutants entirely, advanced water treatment technologies and related new regulation will affect the water treatment landscape in the years to come.

Especially per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the effects of these so-called forever chemicals are increasingly being addressed. While binding global legislation is still pending, the race for the removal of PFAS is already on the way and the scale of new purifying adsorbents and chemical innovations is being expanded.

Water treatment, as we know it, will be reshaped by emerging technological innovations to address the rapidly changing operating environment. Haarla is at the forefront of the latest developments, providing you with the latest industrial solutions for a greener future as well as industrial efficiency. Get in touch with our experts to hear more and find the best technological solutions for your water treatment needs.