Injection Molding, Ireland
An injection molding plant in Ireland running 15 molding machines had two water treatment companies looking after the water treatment on site. Chem-Aqua treated the cooling tower, while a competitor was treating the process loop. The customer decided to go for a unique supplier for water treatment.
Analysis
The main challenges for water treatment on this site were caused by space limitations. Despite being a small plant, 3-4 different chemicals were required at all times. Reliable and efficient operation of the cooling water systems is essential for plant production. The water treatment chemicals took valuable floor space and were required in hard to reach areas.
Although the Chem-Aqua liquid water treatment program for the cooling tower provided good results; chemical storage, handling and disposal presented significant sustainability concerns. The HandiChem™ Solid Water Treatment System was proposed by Chem-Aqua in order to address these concerns.
With Chem-Aqua’s HandiChem™ Water Treatment System; chemicals are provided as solid concentrates in either 5 kg recyclable plastic bottles or 400 gr or HandiPak® Solid Sticks (STX), rather than liquid in drums. HandiPak® Solid Concentrates from plastic bottles are dissolved as needed into a small plastic reservoir using a HandiFeed™ Mixing Board. The feed solution is pumped into the system being treated, just like with liquid chemicals. The HandiPak® Solid Sticks (STX), wrapped in water soluble film, can be fed via an Aquapass bypass feeder.
Solution
The HandiChem™ system, replacing the previous liquid cooling tower treatment program, is now installed on a panel next to the tower controller, providing easier access and tower chemistry control.
Competitor’s liquid for the process loop treatment was replaced by HandiPak® STX fed via the Aquapass unit. Apart from chemical dosing, the Aquapass also allows on-line cleaning due to an integrated filtration kit, therefore dramatically reducing the problems encountered previously at the molding machines.
The new HandiChem™ system provided by Chem-Aqua responded the best to customer needs:
- Dramatically reduced chemical handling hazards and improved workplace safety
- Solved the problem of access for liquid chemicals and pump re-priming in inconvenient locations
- Provided a better solution for the process side (system protection and on-line cleaning), reducing downtime required for cleaning
- Eliminated disposal costs of up to €30/drum for empty liquid drums
HandiChem™ system is a simple, safe and effective alternative to liquid water treatment chemicals.
