Solving a Power Station's Most Challenging Wastewater and Operations Problems
| Challenge: | A Northeast U.S. power station needed a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) solution for its wet FGD effluent to meet environmental regulations and cut costs. |
| Solution: | Aquatech delivered a complete ZLD solution, incorporating a brine concentrator, two-effect crystallizer, and belt filter press, supported by a team of 11 experts for ongoing operations and maintenance. |
| Result: | The solution enabled the power plant to meet strict environmental regulations, improve efficiency by reducing wastewater, and minimize environmental impact by lowering liquid discharge. |
Aquatech provided a comprehensive ZLD solution tailored to meet the needs of the power station.
Aquatech provided a comprehensive ZLD solution tailored to meet the needs of the power station.
A Northeast United States power station faced significant challenges managing the effluent from its wet Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) process. The primary goals were to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD) to comply with environmental regulations and reduce operational costs.
Challenge
Traditional methods proved insufficient, and the plant needed an innovative solution to handle the complex chemistry and varying operational parameters of FGD wastewater. The complexity of the wastewater, combined with the need for a reliable, continuous process, required an advanced treatment solution that could handle varying operating conditionals and ensure minimal environmental impact.
Solution
Aquatech was selected to provide a comprehensive ZLD solution tailored to meet the needs of the power station. The integrated system included:
-
Brine Concentrator: Reduced the volume of the west scrubber effluent
-
Two-Effect Crystallizer: Optimized steam consumption, ensuring energy-efficient operation
-
Belt Filter Press: Processed solid waste in the form of high-purity NaCL (>95% purity)
Integrating upstream physical-chemical processes with advanced evaporation and crystallization technologies allowed the system to handle FGD blowdown water effectively. Despite reduced capacity factors experienced in recent years, the system showed significant gains in optimization and performance, moving closer to a fully repeatable and continuous ZLD process.
Additionally, the Aquatech team provided operational and maintenance support to keep the ZLD solution running optimally. Aquatech provided 11 expert team members, including staff supervisors, I&C, maintenance, and operations personnel.
Result
Aquatech’s ZLD solution, along with an expert operations and maintenance team, enabled the power plant to meet stringent environmental regulations and maintain its commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Regulation Compliance: The ZLD design helped the power plant adhere to environmental regulations, ensuring sustainable operations.
- Operational Efficiency: The system’s optimization path enhanced performance, significantly reducing wastewater volume.
- Environmental Impact: The production of high-purity NaCl and the minimization of liquid discharge contribute to meeting the plant’s environmental goals.
Aquatech’s innovative technologies and extensive experience ensured effective treatment and operations across various fuel types and operating conditions, setting a new standard for both the power industry and other sectors. Over 40 years of hands-on experience set Aquatech apart in the industry, providing reliable solutions that address the unique challenges of water treatment in coal-fired power plants. The advances achieved at this facility demonstrate Aquatech’s ability to deliver industry-leading solutions for applications requiring ZLD.
Discover how Aquatech helps coal-fired power plants enhance clean and responsible power generation and meet compliance with environmental regulations through its integrated solutions.