Insight

Delivering energy as safely and sustainably as possible is a priority for one of the largest private energy companies in Mexico. One of its local power plants is a prime example of how the company has put these commitments into practice.

The plant relies on municipal wastewater for its electric generation process. It had been using chlorine gas to remove contaminants so the water would be clean enough for use in the cooling tower and reverse osmosis (RO) system, which removes impurities through filtration. While this approach kept microbial growth in check, it required large amounts of biocides and weekly replacement of chlorine gas cylinders — a high-risk, two-person job.

In addition, the extensive biocide use had a negative impact on the performance of the RO membrane and its ability to filter the wastewater. To rectify this, the plant had to take the RO system offline for washdowns six days a year, which led to a loss in production. The plant needed a pre-treatment solution that was better for the environment, worker safety and productivity.

Innovation

Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, recommended the Purate™ chlorine dioxide programme, which disinfects and treats water, safely and securely. Purate™ is designed to maintain water quality without the use of large quantities of biocides, while an online monitoring system enables plants to correct fluctuations in water quality in real time. Purate™ is part of the plant’s holistic approach to water treatment. This includes two other Ecolab digital solutions that promote the efficient use of water and energy: 3D TRASAR™ Technology for Cooling Water, Boilers and Membranes and the OMNI™ Programme, which optimizes heat transfer to ensure reliability.