Reverse Osmosis Elements Help Maintain Reliable Energy for Brewing Company
Breweries need power to produce their products, and power plants need consistent, high-quality water to operate effectively. Because source water varies based on location, water chemistry and time of year, a power station for a major brewer in North America turned to Dow Water & Process Solutions and Consolidated Water Solutions to deliver a means to an end.
After seven years operating effectively with a two-pass reverse osmosis (RO) system, Consolidated and Dow worked with the power company to evaluate system alternatives for a next-generation configuration. To help further reduce the energy required to treat boiler feed make-up water, and meet the brewery’s electrical energy and process steam requirements, the plant reconfigured and upgraded its water treatment system with Dow Filmtec Eco reverse osmosis elements. Since the integration of Filmtec Eco technology, the water treatment system has reduced its energy by 10% to 20%, and improved peak flow performance.
“Collaborating with Consolidated on this unique project has been a great opportunity to improve the operational capacity of energy production utilizing next-generation reverse osmosis technology,” said Craig Granlund, senior account manager, Dow Water & Process Solutions. “The significant improvement in efficiency will help the power plant improve system performance, while at the same time reducing the brewery’s environmental footprint.”
Due to the highly variable and seasonally tempered nature of the power station’s source water, a combination of mountain and snow runoff, the plant requires a treatment technology that functions effectively across various temperatures and pressures. Since incorporating Filmtec Eco RO elements into the system, the plant has been able to reduce energy and operational costs because the pressure vessel is able to function optimally at 50 to 60 psi, lower pressure than previously met.
The winter months add additional concern, as the source water reaches colder temperatures (45°F), requiring the system to operate at a higher pressure, which utilizes more energy. Filmtec Eco RO elements are able to handle high feed water rates, and hit peak water flow times in winter with reduced pipe pressure and reduced fouling in the RO system, requiring less cleaning to restore productivity.
“We are proud that our system is better equipped to provide reliable energy to our customer, ensuring the delivery and longstanding tradition of one of the most popular beers in America,” said Duane Miller, president of Consolidated Water Solutions. “Filmtec Eco technology has helped our power customer obtain value-added cost savings, which we did not find in other top industry-grade membranes.”
Source: Dow Water & Process Solutions