Demineralised Water for Dairy Steam Boiler Feed
Waikato
Demineralised Water for Dairy Steam Boiler Feed
Waikato
Client
Waikato Dairy Manufacturer
Plant Capacity
300m3/day
Technology
Demineralisation
Water Source
Reservoir Water, River Water
Quality Issue
Meeting strict steam boiler feed regulations
Customer Need
High-grade Demineralised Water to Meet Strict Steam Boiler Feed Water Quality Specifications
A dairy manufacturer needed demineralised water for their cheese processing facility and steam boiler feed. In New Zealand, dairy processing demands pure water to comply with regulations.
Demineralised water prevents scale formation on the steam boilers internal walls and piping and reduces boiler blow down frequencies. Common minerals like calcium and magnesium in tap water lead to scale deposits. To meet the strict water quality specifications, the dairy sought a robust demineralisation plant for treating high water volumes.
What We Did
Cost-Effective In-House Production of the Demineralisation Plant
FILTEC designed and built the demineralisation plant in-house, at our fabrication facility in Auckland, before installing it at the dairy site. With full control over the process, we ensured that the plant was constructed to the highest standards, meeting the customer’s exact specifications. Our in-house fabrication services helped our customer save on costs.
Provided Demineralised Water with Minimal Conductivity
FILTEC developed an automated ion-exchange process for demineralised water production. Our system efficiently removes minerals and charged particles from water using ion exchange media. Automatic regeneration with acid and sodium hydroxide prevents media fouling. Additionally, a carbon filter upstream prevents contamination.
This plant produces 300 cubic meters of purified water daily, meeting dairy standards with a typical conductivity of 1 microSiemens per centimeter. Its low conductivity aids in reducing energy consumption for steam boilers.
Prevented Scale Formation Within the Boiler and Pipe Work
The demineralisation plant maintains the ultrapure water quality, preventing scale formation within boilers and pipework. This scale buildup, caused by minerals like calcium and magnesium, can lead to decreased efficiency by forming hard layers inside the boiler. FILTEC’s demineralisation plant effectively combats this issue, supporting optimal boiler performance.
Additionally, the plant utilises welded flanged or triclover connections for the chemical pipework, reducing leak risks and corrosion compared to threaded connections. Integrated with the dairy manufacturer’s SCADA system, the plant enables remote monitoring and control, enhancing operational efficiency and safety by providing real-time equipment status and performance data to operators.
The Result
Enhanced cheese quality and consistency from demineralised water supply
The demineralisation plant provided by FILTEC successfully meets the strict water quality regulations required for the dairy industry.
The plant effectively removes minerals and impurities from the water, ensuring the water used in cheese production is of the highest grade. Our system supports the dairy manufacturer in producing consistently high-quality cheese. Furthermore, the absence of minerals in the water supply helps to extend the lifespan of dairy equipment and reduces maintenance costs.
