Cases

Ecofabril

Ecofabril was one of the pioneers in Brazil in the processing of PET (Polyethylene Phtatalate) bottles into polyester fibers.

H2O Engenharia was the company chosen by Ecofabril to develop studies for the choice of process for effluent treatment to acchieve legal requirements. This occurred in 2005.

Since then, Ecofabril has experienced significant growth in its manufacturing activities and, consequently, their water use and effluent generation and, together with H2O Engenharia initiated a series of modifications to the original plant, which is currently being done to reuse about 40 to 60% of the water.

Each of the enhancements have been incorporated into new technologies and the uses of old units have been maximized. For this, detailed process engineering studies were needed.

One of the new technologies applied in this station was to use a filter ring, replacing an old sand anthracite filter, traditionally used in treatment plants. The size of the material retained by this filter ranges from 20 to 400 micra.

With these studies jointly developed between the two companies, there was a considerable cost savings in investment and operation of the plant.

This plant also used a dewatering system with a decanter centrifuge which has generated sludge with low humidity and, consequently, lower disposal costs.

The liquid phase is treated through the use of chemical and physical processes, such as equalization, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration, and employs a variety of chemicals that, besides providing a high reduction of DQO, also remove heavy metals which can be incorporated in the effluent due to the pigments used in the manufacture of bottles and / or handling in the separation centers.