Industrial Water Treatment: Principles, Processes, and Emerging Technologies

$0.00

Industrial water treatment stands at the intersection of environmental responsibility, process reliability, and resource efficiency. This short course provides a comprehensive introduction to the science, engineering, and practical applications of industrial water treatment systems across manufacturing, energy, mining, and food processing sectors. Participants will gain a working understanding of the chemical, physical, and biological processes that underpin water purification, reuse, and regulatory compliance in modern industrial operations.

The course begins with an overview of industrial water types—boiler feed, cooling water, process water, and wastewater—and the contaminants typically encountered in each. Core treatment technologies are examined in detail, including clarification, filtration, ion exchange, membrane separation, and biological treatment, along with emerging methods such as electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation, and zero-liquid-discharge systems. Design principles for system sizing, flow balancing, and process integration are covered, emphasizing performance optimization and cost–benefit evaluation.

Real-world case studies illustrate how treatment systems are applied to meet EPA and state-level discharge limits, recover valuable resources, and minimize environmental impact. Participants will explore how industrial treatment strategies are evolving in response to water scarcity, stricter effluent standards, and sustainability initiatives.

By the end of the session, attendees will understand:

  • The key contaminants and treatment challenges in industrial effluents

  • The mechanisms and design fundamentals of major treatment technologies

  • How to select appropriate processes for specific industrial applications

  • How sustainability and circular-economy principles are reshaping water management

This course is intended for engineers, plant managers, environmental professionals, and technical decision-makers seeking a solid foundation in industrial water treatment, as well as insight into the next generation of chemical-free and energy-efficient purification systems.

Category:

Description

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the science and engineering behind industrial water treatment systems. It emphasizes the interconnection between water quality, process reliability, environmental compliance, and sustainability. Through lectures, discussion, and case studies, participants learn how to identify contaminants, evaluate treatment processes, and design integrated systems that meet operational and regulatory goals.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify key contaminants and treatment requirements for different industrial water streams.

  2. Understand the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms used in industrial water purification.

  3. Evaluate major treatment processes—clarification, filtration, ion exchange, membranes, and biological systems.

  4. Compare legacy chemical treatment methods with emerging chemical-free and electrochemical technologies.

  5. Interpret regulatory discharge standards and develop strategies for compliance.

  6. Assess lifecycle costs, sludge generation, and energy efficiency of various system designs.

  7. Apply sustainability and circular-economy concepts to industrial water management.

Target Audience:

  • Process and environmental engineers

  • Plant managers and maintenance supervisors

  • Water system designers and consultants

  • Regulatory and compliance professionals

  • Graduate students in environmental or chemical engineering

Course Outline

Module 1: Industrial Water Landscape and Drivers (45 min)

  • Industrial demand and water stress

  • Types of industrial water: feed, process, cooling, wastewater

  • Key contaminants: suspended solids, dissolved metals, organics, nutrients, oils, and PFAS

  • Overview of U.S. EPA and state-level effluent standards (NPDES, WQBEL)

  • Introduction to circular water economy and zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) trends

Module 2: Fundamentals of Water Chemistry and Contaminant Behavior (45 min)

  • Physical and chemical characteristics of industrial water

  • pH, alkalinity, hardness, redox potential, and solubility equilibria

  • Coagulation, precipitation, oxidation–reduction mechanisms

  • Microbiological factors in water systems (biofilms, slime, corrosion)

Module 3: Core Treatment Technologies (90 min)

  • Physical Processes: sedimentation, filtration, flotation, ultrafiltration

  • Chemical Processes: coagulation–flocculation, neutralization, oxidation, ion exchange

  • Biological Processes: activated sludge, MBBR, anaerobic digestion, nitrification/denitrification

  • Design parameters, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and loading rates

  • Troubleshooting performance issues

Module 4: Advanced and Emerging Technologies (60 min)

  • Electrochemical systems (electrocoagulation, electro-oxidation)

  • Membrane technologies: RO, NF, FO, and hybrid systems

  • Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs): ozone, UV/H₂O₂, photocatalysis

  • Thermal & ZLD systems: evaporation, crystallization, resource recovery

  • Comparative energy consumption and lifecycle cost analysis

Module 5: Industrial Applications and Case Studies (45 min)

  • Oil & gas (produced water, refinery wastewater)

  • Mining and tailings recovery

  • Food and beverage processing (dairy, rendering, poultry)

  • Chemical manufacturing and pharmaceuticals

  • Power generation and cooling water management

  • Metrics: COD/BOD reduction, heavy metals removal, reuse ratios, energy savings

Module 6: Designing for Compliance and Sustainability (30 min)

  • Water balance development and flow mapping

  • Integrating treatment trains for efficiency and modularity

  • Environmental compliance planning (EPA, state permits, ISO 14001)

  • ESG and corporate water stewardship frameworks

  • Future direction: AI-assisted process control and real-time monitoring

Module 7: Workshop and Discussion (30 min)

  • Interactive exercise: selecting a treatment strategy for a sample industrial scenario

  • Discussion of participants’ facilities and challenges

  • Q&A and wrap-up

Deliverables & Materials:

  • Comprehensive slide deck (with diagrams and flowcharts)

  • Technology comparison matrix (traditional vs. emerging)

  • Case study handouts (O&G, mining, food processing)

  • Regulatory summary sheet (EPA and state effluent limits)

  • Certificate of completion

Instructor:

Michael D. Holloway
Executive Vice President, Sales & Strategy — Avivid Water Technology

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