We provided a Namibian beverage manufacturer with a cost-effective solution to treat their borehole and municipal water that was not up to bottling standard.
Water quality is of utmost importance to beverage manufacturers, given that up to 98% of the final products consist of pure water. As a result, they tend to be under constant scrutiny to ensure that the water used meet relevant water standards. Often, stringent water treatment is required to get the water to these standards.
A Namibian beverage manufacturing and distribution company was looking to treat their borehole and municipal water to meet stringent specifications.
In response, our team designed and assembled a water treatment plant that treats groundwater from their borehole and polishes water from their existing municipal supply. This composite plant includes filtration, reverse osmosis, and oxidation to treat the water as efficiently as possible.
Borehole Water Treatment
Pre-filtration
Firstly, water is supplied under pressure to the pre-filtration stage. A set of cartridge filters removes suspended matter before the water proceeds through the activated carbon bed. Here, the activated carbon eliminates organics, residual chlorine, and other contaminants. The final stage of pre-treatment is UV disinfection. This ensures that all microbial content is removed.
As it is important that the filter tanks remain sanitized at all times for this type of application, the pre-treatment chain is fitted with a pump to circulate water through the filter holding tank when full.
Reverse osmosis
Next, the reverse osmosis system draws water from the holding tank and removes all unwanted minerals. Right at the end, however, a small portion of these minerals is re-introduced into the water to balance it.
What’s more, this plant delivers brine of a high enough quality that it can be collected and used for washing and rinsing of the floors.
Municipal Water Polishing
pH Adjustment
The first step of the municipal water’s treatment process is measuring the volume of water to be processed using a water meter. The meter also relays a signal to the dosing pump.
An acidic solution is then introduced volumetrically to ensure the reduction of the pH to below 8 SU. Maintaining a pH lower than 8 SU is imperative to ensure the solubility of the ozone, which is introduced later in the process.
Filtration
Pre-treated water enters the filtration stage wherein the finer suspended solids are removed. During this process, water and low molecular weight substances permeate through the filter, whilst particles above 0,2μm and colloids are rejected and collected in the filter.
Oxidation
Filtered water is fed directly to the contact chamber in the disinfection stage, en route it is fed through a venturi to ensure ozone gas is introduced. A circulation pump ensures sufficient contact time with the ozone gas. Pressurizing the chamber increases the solubility of the gas guaranteeing superior contact.
The excess ozone is degassed and directed outside to a well-ventilated area. The ozone concentration gets controlled via a ORP probe and controller, keeping the ORP at its optimal level.
Conclusion
Once the water treatment solution was implemented, it delivered a minimum of 6 000L/hour of high quality potable water. This water is now being used efficiently in the beverage production facility. What’s more, a small portion of the brine is recovered during treatment, which improves the overall efficiency of the plant and allows for only minimal wastage.
Water Purification Solutions is a water treatment company that designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains water treatment systems. Contact us via email at info@iwpsa.co.za or call us on 021 851 2451 to order the Juno Fumigation Packs or to find out more about the the fumigation packs and other disinfection solutions.
