Continuous Process Improvement: Optimizing Craftmaster's Zero Wastewater Discharge System

Abstract

Early in 2005 General Electric Water & Process Technologies (GE) began supplyingCraftMaster Manufacturing, Inc. (CMi) with water treatment chemicals and expertise. A GE/CMi team, composed of operations, technical and management personnel, was established to uncover and address immediate and long term wastewater system problems and issues. The combination of experience and troubleshooting expertise allowed for collaborative work to continuously improve operations, increase reliability and reduce overall costs. OVERVIEW OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSThe main wastewater treatment plant consists of screening, primary and secondary treatment operations, and dewatering. CMi processes 1 -1.5 MGD (158 -237 m 3 /hr) of mill process wastewater and storm runoff water. Figure 1 shows a general schematic of the wastewater treatment system and recycle loop. CraftMaster operates a "zero wastewater discharge" system. Wastewater is treated, then stored in lagoons for recycle to the mill as makeup process water. Some water is purged to sprayers to irrigate fields.