FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2003--While 71 percent of the earth's surface is covered by water, most people probably don't realize that 97 percent of this water is ocean and that most of the remaining three percent is locked away in polar icecaps.
This leaves only a tiny fraction (0.014 percent) of useable water for the many processes that are so vital to us today. When we think of water, we usually picture it in our everyday lives for drinking, cooking or washing. Yet, 18 percent of all water consumed (both potable and non-potable) is used for industrial processes, such as power, cooling and manufacturing.
Recognizing how critical this resource is to human existence, the UN General Assembly declared March 22, 2003 the "World Day for Water." This latest installment of GE's Innovation Update highlights some of the latest water treatment and conservation innovations that will help accomplish our goal of recycling a resource that's essential to sustain human life.
In fact, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) predicts that two-thirds of the earth's population will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025 if the current level of usage continues. In a world that depends on water for survival - and yet wastes more than half of the water it uses - every effort to conserve nature's most valuable resource is crucial.
Until recently, GE only had a small presence in the water treatment industry, but this area has grown into a $1.4 billion business. GE Betz is a world leader in the engineered chemical treatment of water and process systems in industrial, commercial and institutional facilities. As concern about water scarcity increases, more and more manufacturers are seeking ways to reuse their water; ultimately GE believes water treatment/water conservation could become a $5 billion business for the company.
Below are some examples of what industrial companies face in dealing with water treatment and conservation and the innovative solutions employed to face these challenges.
A Routine Cleaning Saves Brazilian Steel Mill Millions
Companhia Siderurgica de Tubarao, a steel mill in Brazil, uses extremely acidic water to cool its central manufacturing system. The system has high temperatures, slow water flow and very narrow water passages, which resulted in corrosion and deposits that frequently blocked the water flow, and in turn caused overheating and fractured pipes.
With the help of GE Betz technologists, a mild acid cleaning solution was introduced into the system to clear water passages and balance the transfer of heat efficiently; this process became part of a routine cleaning of all the passages.
As a result, water use decreased by more than 46 million gallons per year while solid waste disposal was reduced by 38 tons. The increased uptime, reduced maintenance costs and eliminated losses resulting from pipe deterioration and breakage provides a net annual savings of close to a million dollars for the mill.
Canadian Automotive Plant Conserves Water and Helps Community
An eastern Canada automotive plant was challenged to reduce water consumption in order to help its community expand without a major financial burden to water consumers. A recycling program was implemented that targeted savings of 47 million gallons a year by recycling 50 percent of wastewater back into the process water system. However, this resulted in a severe clogging of the water filtration system because the water was filled with so much debris.
GE Betz technologists worked with the auto plant and analyzed the water, conducted a study on the filters and implemented the Argo Analyzer software package, which provides anti-scalant and cleaner recommendations (including selection and dosage) and helps to reduce cleaning frequency. The recycling program was successful, reducing water use by 47 million gallons. The net annual savings from this conservation and the cost avoidance of new filter system totaled $439,000. The local region was successful in eliminating the need for a system expansion through the significant reduction of wastewater it was able to achieve.
GE Helps to Ensure Animal Feed is Safe for Consumption
Due to contamination from dirty tanks, valves and piping, and an ineffective maintenance program, a manufacturing plant in Missouri was producing batches of animal feed vitamins and supplements that did not meet federal standards. In 2000, 18 batches of product had to be thrown out, representing a total loss of $270,000 just for the raw materials.
To remedy this situation, GE Betz recommended that all of the affected surfaces be cleaned with FoodPro(tm), a product that helps prevent contamination, scaling, and corrosion, keeping food and beverages safe for consumption. In addition, the plant put into practice a proactive maintenance and inspection program to eliminate any future contamination concerns.
Since the new program began, the manufacturing plant has surpassed its 14-week record of 144 continuous batches of animal feed without any batches missing the federal standards, and therefore having to be thrown out. A decrease in the amount of contamination has allowed for more efficient wastewater treatment, conserving four million gallons of water per year, and reducing solid waste disposal by more than 98 tons. The total net annual savings is $270,000.
For more information on these announcements and other information about GE Global Research, please contact Jim Healy at (518) 387-6284 / [email protected] or Amanda Hamilton at (212) 931-6131 / [email protected].
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CONTACT:
General Electric
Jim Healy, 518/387-6284 / [email protected]
or
Peppercom, New York
Amanda Hamilton, 212/931-6131 / [email protected].