Mini factory Dow started up successfully

The model factory is used for research into new, more effective and environmentally friendly ways of producing demineralised water.

First research results very promising
The research focuses, among other things, on the effect of the use of a natural pre-treatment (aerated reed beds / wetlands), a new form of pre-treatment of RO (reverse osmosis) and the reuse of waste water within the treatment process. This study, which is carried out in close collaboration with the customer, started a year ago and the first results are promising.

For example, the reed beds (wetlands) reduce the biological activity of the water (ensures more efficient purification through less cleaning), regardless of the season, the fields require less aeration capacity (more energy efficient) than was included in the design and they do not have additional chemistry ( carbon source) needed to run stably (less chemistry consumption).

In addition, the biological activity (regrowth) is further reduced by 94-98% by the ion exchange steps. This means that less energy and chemistry needs to be used to keep the membranes clean and it provides tools to improve the efficiency of the ion exchange steps.

Perfect factory
The research into a complete water treatment in a continuous system is ultimately aimed at the construction of a factory that uses as little energy and chemistry as possible and at the same time produces reliable process water in the correct quantity and in the quality desired by Dow.