- What are the Key Features of Sustainable Water Purification Systems?
- Innovative Technologies in Sustainable Water Purification
- Challenges and Road Ahead
- FAQs
Approximately 500 billion liters of water are used by pharma companies every year. Where traditional water purification methods leave a carbon footprint for future generations to suffer, sustainable water purification systems focus on minimizing consumption and reducing waste.
As environmental consciousness is rising more than ever, pharma companies that produce massive amounts of waste are looking forward to integrating these solutions and actively achieving their sustainable development goals.
What are the key Features of Sustainable Water Purification Systems?
If you wonder what are the critical features of sustainable systems, check the list below:
Energy Efficiency:
A sustainable water purification system is designed to consume less energy than traditional methods. One can also choose to power water purification systems with solar panels to save energy.
Low Chemical Use:
As we reduce the usage of harmful chemicals for water treatment, the efforts to treat wastewater will also be reduced. One can rely on ethylenediamine-N, N’-disuccinic acid (EDDS), a biodegradable chelating agent to bind and remove heavy metals from water. Unlike traditional chelating agents like EDTA, EDDS is more environmentally friendly as it breaks down more readily in natural environments.
Peracetic acid is another alternative to chlorine for disinfection. It is an organic peroxide compound highly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. PAA breaks down into environmentally benign acetic acid (vinegar) and water, making it safer and greener.
Minimal Waste Generation:
Technologies like zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) ensure all water is treated and reused while leaving no waste behind. A zero-liquid discharge system can help you reduce water waste by up to 90%.
Use of Renewable Resources:
Simply switching to solar power, Pharma companies can reduce their carbon footprint by 50%. For example, a 100 kW solar installation can offset approximately 70 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 1,600 trees over ten years. As per the studies, a wind-powered desalination system can save up to 30% of energy.
Innovative Technologies in Sustainable Water Purification
Here’s a list of innovative technologies that are at play in sustainable water purification systems:
1. Advanced Membrane Filtration
- Nanofiltration (NF) and Ultrafiltration (UF):
By applying nanofilters and ultrafilters, you can eliminate up to 99.9% of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and organic compounds. Nanofiltration operates at 4-30 bar pressures, much lower than reverse osmosis. The operation of a nanofilter saves 30% to 50% of energy. - Forward Osmosis (FO):
Unlike reverse osmosis, forward osmosis saves up to 30% while achieving water recovery rates of 85% to 90%. It has become the talk of the town due to its ability to lower the environmental footprint of pharmaceutical water purification.
2. Electrodeionization (EDI)
EDI systems produce high-purity water by removing ionized species through electrically driven processes. In contrast to traditional ion exchange methods, an EDI system eradicates the need for chemical regeneration and reduces chemical waste by up to 90%. EDI systems can achieve water quality with a resistivity of up to 18 MΩ·cm, which is one of the stringent requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.
At TSA, we offer Purified water generation systems with Advanced closed-loop recirculation systems for sustainable operations with optional automation of sanitization and sterilization processes. Our high-purity water treatment solutions incorporate continuous electrode-ionization to produce high-purity water that surpasses the most stringent standards in the world!
3. Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection
UV rays are highly effective in inactivating bacteria and viruses and can achieve a 99.99% disinfection rate (4-log reduction) of microbial load in pharmaceutical water. A UV disinfection system proves to be a better alternative to chemical disinfectants as it minimizes the formation of harmful by-products.
4. Ozonation
It is one of the advanced and celebrated oxidation processes that can remove up to 99% of organic contaminants and pathogens. Ozone is a powerful oxidant that decomposes into oxygen, thus leaving no harmful residues behind. With Ozonation, you can reduce up to 70% of total organic carbon (TOC) levels.
5. Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Systems
As the name suggests, a ZLD technology eliminates all liquid waste from water purification processes by recovering up to 95% of wastewater as purified water. This highly efficient system reduces the need for fresh water, and in the pharmaceutical industry, it can decrease water consumption by up to 60%.
Besides saving the environment, Pharmaceutical companies also benefit from tax incentives, grants, and subsidies, which can reduce capital costs by up to 30%. By incorporating sustainable water purification systems, companies can achieve compliance with environmental standards and avoid potential fines while improving their corporate social responsibility (CSR) profile.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
As we end the discussion on the significance of incorporating sustainable water purification technologies in the pharma industry, the challenges must also be addressed. In addition to the initial costs of these new technologies, maintenance costs and the requirement for technical expertise become a roadblock.
TSA is a one-stop solution where we empathetically listen to your problems and craft cost-effective, sustainable water purification systems.
Reach out to us now for a sustainable future!
FAQ‘s
Sustainable water purification systems are methods and technologies designed to purify water with minimal environmental impact. They focus on reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and using renewable resources, all while maintaining or improving the efficiency of traditional water purification methods.
These systems often employ a combination of energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources (like solar power), and innovative filtration methods (like membrane technology or biofiltration) to clean water without relying heavily on non-renewable resources.
Sustainable Water Purification is essential for reducing the environmental impact of water treatment, preserving natural resources, and ensuring access to clean water for future generations. They help meet environmental regulations and contribute to global sustainability goals.
The benefits include reduced carbon footprint, lower operational costs, decreased water waste, compliance with environmental regulations, and a positive contribution to corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
Businesses can start by conducting an audit of their water usage, identifying areas where water can be conserved, and researching technologies that fit their specific needs. You can contact us at TSA to craft a sustainable water management plan.
