Industrial Process Water Treatment and Reuse: A Framework for Synthesis and Design

Abstract

Mathematical optimization has shown the potential to contribute to industrial water management, through the development of the solution methods needed for optimization-based design of wastewater treatment and reuse networks (also called water networks). Nevertheless, the application of this approach is still limited to motivating examples lacking the ability to handle problems with complexity of industrial relevance. To address this challenge, in this contribution, we focus on the integration of wastewater engineering concepts and models, together with optimization methods and solution algorithms. To this end, we propose a computer-aided framework for the design of water treatment and reuse networks. In the framework, optimization methods, problem analysis tools and wastewater engineering knowledge are integrated in a computer-aided environment, in order to facilitate the formulation and solution of the design problems with fair complexity representative of industrial applications. The framework is demonstrated through the solution of a case study dealing with the treatment and reuse of water effluent produced by an oil refinery. The problem is solved, and a win−win solution is identified, allowing a reduced water footprint, and the treatment costs are identified.

Optimization of Water Network Synthesis for Single-Site and Continuous Processes: Milestones, Challenges, and Future Directions

“…Rudd 125 and applied in water network synthesis by Quaglia et al, 126 is able to generate a superstructure that includes innovative alternatives while discarding options deemed infeasible or impractical by current knowledge.…”

Potencial de utilização de efluentes tratados de laticínios

“…Na indústria, a água de reúso pode ser utilizada na limpeza de pisos e calçadas, bem como em diversas etapas do processo de produção, a exemplo: torres de resfriamento, condensadores, água de processos e alimentação de caldeira. Todavia, os sistemas de tratamento que visam essa prática devem garantir a remoção da carga poluente a um nível que seja compatível com as exigências de qualidade da água para o uso pretendido (QUAGLIA et al, 2013).…”

Optimal design of integrated agricultural water networks

“…For example, some works have addressed the optimal use of water in cities (Bishnu et al, 2014;Nápoles-Rivera et al, 2013;Rojas-Torres et al, 2014). In the industrial case, the wastewater treatment (Mussati et al, 2002a,b;Wang and Smith, 1994) and the optimal design of single water networks (Alva-Argaez et al, 1999;Karuppiah and Grossmann, 2008;Ponce-Ortega et al, 2010;Quaglia et al, 2013;Sueviriyapan et al, 2014;Takama et al, 1980) have represented significant reductions of fresh water consumption. This is summarized in the reviews by Bagajewicz (2000), Dunn and El-Halwagi (2003) and Foo (2009).…”