Minimization–optimization of water use in the process of cleaning reactors and containers in a chemical industry

This paper describes a study concerning the minimization and optimization of water use in the process of cleaning reactors and containers in a chemical industry, that produces auxiliary chemicals products for the textile industry (liquids detergents, softeners…). A reduction of 60% of the water used for cleaning reactors and 90% of the water used for cleaning containers were achieved. These results were achieved due to:• The new planning of the production in order to minimize the number of cleanings between processes.• The definition of the quality for the cleaning of reactors that was needed for later manufacturing operations.• The use of a new procedure to clean the containers. Recovery of finished product using air as the first cleaning agent (2.2 Tn/yr Approx. saved) was also achieved. In addition to this, the decrease of the contamination load of the wastewater and an environmental policy based on the principle of reutilization of the cleaned water, coming from the water treatment plant, were also achieved. The reduction of the water to be treated, as well as the minimization of the contamination load, implies a smaller waste water treatment plant, a lower consumption of chemical products, and less production of sludge that must be treated later and, finally, a rational use of water has been achieved.