water Treatment Products
We have a complete series of advanced chemical solutions for every stage of your industrial water operation. From the intake of raw water or pretreatment for utility makeup to wastewater disposal, Shedu can provide a chemical treatment program customized for your unique system requirements.
Chemical Water Treatment for Cooling Towers
Shedu takes the time to understand your exact needs before recommending a chemical treatment program for industrial cooling systems. A full system audit, which includes operational history and inefficiencies, allows your field representative to determine your system’s corrosion, fouling, and scaling potential.
OPTIMIZE COOLING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY
Our chemical programs can be effectively used for the reduction and prevention of the three major issues your industrial cooling water system may encounter: corrosion, deposition, and microbial growth.
Corrosion leads to metal loss that can result in critical system failures in heat exchangers, recirculating water piping, and process cooling equipment. Corrosion also results in efficiency loss as corrosion products precipitate on heat transfer devices, insulating the metals.
Cooling towers are vulnerable to a variety of contaminants that cause deposit formation, such as mineral scales and sludge. Deposition interferes with heat transfer, increases corrosion rates, restricts water flow, and causes process efficiency and production loss.
REDUCE AND PREVENT CORROSION, DEPOSITION, AND MICROBIAL GROWTH
Biological organisms, including algae, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, often find their breeding grounds in cooling towers. If not properly controlled, biological growth forms and acts as a natural adhesion surface for scale formation, resulting in fouling.
These conditions can be seriously problematic when it comes to optimizing the efficiency of your cooling water tower or system. Shedu’s full range of cooling water chemicals can provide excellent protection against these challenges:
Extend asset life by minimizing corrosion in your cooling system
Shedu has consistently been a leader in developing and delivering effective cooling water corrosion control chemistries. Shedu offers multiple approaches for corrosion control.
What is corrosion control in water treatment?
Corrosion control requires a change in either the metal or the environment. The first approach, changing the metal is expensive. Also, highly alloyed materials, which are very resistant to general corrosion, are more prone to failure by localized corrosion mechanisms such as stress corrosion cracking.
The second approach, changing the environment, is a widely used, practical method of preventing corrosion. There are three ways to effect a change in the environment to inhibit corrosion.
• Form a protective film of calcium carbonate on the metal surface using the natural calcium and alkalinity in the water.
• Remove the corrosive oxygen from the water, either by mechanical or chemical deaeration or add corrosion inhibitors.
Protect from scaling and improve your Cooling System efficiency
System scaling and deposition can cause many problems with your operation. Shedu’s deposition control products help battle the loss of heat exchanger capacity and efficiency that can lead to increased fuel costs. Good deposition control also helps avoid equipment failures, maintenance costs, and emergency shutdowns.
Deposition and Scale Control Features and Benefits
• Increases unit throughput and heat transfer
• Provides superior evaporative cooling
• Reduces makeup water costs
• Lowers plant discharge volume
• Reduces wastewater treatment costs
• Cuts power consumption
• Trims maintenance requirements
• Maintains high heat transfer rates in systems with enhanced chiller tubes
What are deposits?
Deposit accumulations in cooling water systems reduce the efficiency of heat transfer and the carrying capacity of the water distribution system. In addition, the deposits cause oxygen differential cells to form. These cells accelerate corrosion and lead to process equipment failure. Deposits range from thin, tightly adherent films to thick, gelatinous masses, depending on the depositing species and the mechanism responsible for deposition.
Deposit formation is influenced strongly by system parameters, such as water and skin temperatures, water velocity, residence time, and system metallurgy. The most severe deposition is encountered in process equipment operating with high surface temperatures and/or low water velocities. With the introduction of high-efficiency film fill, deposit accumulation in the cooling tower packing has become an area of concern are broadly categorized as scale or foulants.
Minimize biofouling and microbiologically-induced corrosion (MIC)
Industrial cooling water systems, particularly open recirculating systems, provide a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms including both planktonic and sessile growth. Without microbiological control, the growth can result in corrosion and other efficiency issues that can cause equipment failure, unscheduled downtime, reduced heat transfer, and lost production.
Shedu offers a broad portfolio of oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocides as well as biodispersants to treat and protect the cooling system from a variety of micro-organisms and microbiological growth.
What is microbiological fouling?
Microbiological fouling in cooling systems is the result of the abundant growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria on surfaces. Once-through and open or closed recirculating water systems may support microbial growth, but fouling problems usually develop more quality and are more extensive in open reticulating systems.
Once-through cooling water streams generally contain relatively low levels of the nutrients essential for microbial growth, so growth is relatively slow. Open recirculating systems scrub microbes from the air and, through evaporation, concentrate nutrients present in makeup water. As a result, microbe growth is more rapid. Process leaks may contribute further to the nutrient load of the cooling water. Reuse of wastewater for cooling adds nutrients and also contributes large amounts of microbes to the cooling system.
In addition to the availability of organic and inorganic nutrients, factors such as temperature, normal pH control range, and continuous aeration of the cooling water contribute to an environment that is ideal for microbial growth. Sunlight necessary for growth of algae may also be present. As a result, large, varied microbial populations may develop.
The outcome of uncontrolled microbial growth on surfaces is “slime” formation. Slims typically are aggregates of biological and nonbiological materials. The biological component, known as the biofilm, consists of microbial cells and their by-products. The predominant by-product, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), is a mixture of hydrated polymers. These polymers form a gel-like network around the cells and appear to aid attachment to surfaces. The nonbiological components can be organic or inorganic debris from many sources which have become adsorbed to or embedded in the biofilm polymer.
Slimes can form throughout once-through and recirculating systems and may be seen or felt where accessible. In nonexposed areas, slimes can be manifested by decreased heat transfer efficiency or reduced water flow. Wood-destroying organisms may penetrate the timbers of the cooling tower, digesting the wood and causing collapse of the structure. Microbial activity under deposits or within slimes can accelerate corrosion rates and even perforate heat exchanger surfaces.
Chemical Treatment for Boilers
Shedu’s field engineers provide the highest level of boiler treatment expertise available. Our full line of boiler chemicals is designed to keep your system free from scale and corrosion, giving you more time to focus on what matters most.
MAXIMIZE BOILER EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY
Both corrosion and deposition can be seriously problematic when it comes to the function of your boiler system. The formation of deposits such as scale and sludge in a boiler system results in elevated metal temperatures, causing tube failures and restricted circulation.
Boiler system corrosion leads to localized pitting and/or thinning of pipe and tube surfaces, resulting in leaks and tube failures. Both issues will significantly reduce a system’s efficiency and compromise a boiler’s reliability. Shedu’s boiler chemicals can take care of these issues when properly applied by one of our local field engineers.
Shedu’s boiler system chemicals handle problems in four main areas:
Shedu can help inhibit corrosion in your system with oxygen scavengers and dealkalizers for feedwater and boiler internals, and neutralizing amines and specialty filming amines for condensate return systems.
Deposit control chemicals designed to control scale and sludge formation on heat transfer surfaces include phosphate treatments, chelants, polymeric conditioners and dispersants, and alkalinity builders.
Pretreatment
Shedu has best-in-class knowledge and expertise when it comes to pretreatment for boiler makeup and other industrial processes. We can work with you to optimize your current pretreatment system and provide consultation on system improvements.
Customized Pretreatment Services and Solutions
Pretreatment generally includes one or more forms of filtration, whether conventional media or membrane, along with makeup water treatment, which is essential for optimizing the success of any filtration or membrane system. A pretreatment program from your Shedu field engineer may include filter treatment, microbiological control, adding chemical such as acid, water softening, or a combination of the above.
We have a wide range of experience supporting pretreatment filtration systems and membranes. Our programs can reduce your overall filtration system costs with water analysis testing, key performance indicator monitoring, and data trending, minimizing the frequency of, and need for, membrane cleaning and replacement.
FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND MEMBRANES
Our expertise in treating industry technologies and membrane systems can benefit our customers by improving their downstream operations and efficiency. Shedu’s knowledge and experience expands across all of the industry technologies and membrane systems, including: single, dual, or multimedia filtration, carbon filtration, greensand filtration, or cartridge filters, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis (RO).
PRETREATMENT PROGRAMS FROM YOUR FIELD ENGINEER MAY INCLUDE:
Water Softeners
Pretreatment water softening minimizes the potential for calcium or magnesium to form scale on membrane filtration systems. Required water-softening treatment may include: dechlorinating agents, biocides, antiscalants, water softeners, and demineralizers.
Filter Treatment
We have experience supporting a variety of membrane and filter operations, and other iron filtration equipment, sand and multimedia filtration, carbon filters, microfiltration, and ultrafiltration.
Reverse Osmosis
Industrial RO systems can treat virtually any feedwater if certain quality guidelines are met. Good pretreatment is the key to a reliable RO system. With the properly designed pretreatment in place, the removal of suspended solids, colloidal material, metals, etc., will ensure high-quality RO permeate and reliability in the RO operation with minimal downtime for cleaning.
Raw and Wastewater
Influent and Effluent Industrial Water Treatment
Shedu’s chemical programs for raw water and wastewater treatment are developed to remove suspended and dissolved solids from both industrial influent and effluent waters. These programs can be custom-designed to help our customers protect their systems and the environment.
SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION FOR RAW AND WASTEWATER
Our solid-liquid separation programs can prevent solid buildup in industrial systems. These programs can be designed to maximize system efficiency and prevent any damage or equipment downtime.
There are several methods for the separation of solids and liquid in influent and effluent waters. Mechanical methods may include sedimentation, straining, flotation, and filtration. Coagulation and flocculation chemicals are used in the treatment process for water clarification, lime softening, sludge thickening, and solids dewatering and removal. We also offer specific chemical treatments for the wastewater needs of various industries, such as heavy metals removal, oil/water emulsions, paint detakification, odor control, and defoaming.
Prevent & control foaming conditions in industrial and process water systems
Industrial wastewater and process foaming conditions may cause health and safety issues for employees and others whose job requirements involve being around sumps, tanks, open trenches, aeration basins, and similar areas, or equipment where foam formation may occur.
Shedu provides a variety of antifoam and defoamer chemicals, in combination with industry-leading expertise and state-of-the-art monitoring to provide complete system control. Our portfolio includes concentrated single active, multi-component formulations, and oil-based and water-based products.
Benefits of antifoam & defoaming chemical treatment
When properly engineered, applied, and maintained, Shedu’s antifoam and defoaming treatment programs can:
• Improve operational efficiency
o Protect expensive process equipment where foaming can lead to production and asset threatening issues
o Ensure manufacturing production downtime due to foaming conditions are minimized or eliminated
o Ensure foaming related problems are resolved
• Meet regulatory requirements
o Maintain regulatory compliance where the absence of foam in the effluent is required
o Eliminate troublesome foaming conditions in a variety of application areas
• Improve environmental, health & safety
o Improve public relations with the surrounding community
o Improve worker safety
o Improve product handlings
Enhance biological waste treatment for environmental compliance with wastewater bioaugmentation treatment
Controlling organic contaminants and ammonia are key objectives of many wastewater treatment plants. Ensuring the healthy growth of beneficial microorganisms is critical to the efficient operation of secondary treatment systems, which are designed to remove organic contaminants and (sometimes) nitrogen.
Shedu offers a complete package of products and services to help support healthy and efficient microorganism growth and improve performance in your wastewater system. This section focuses on our bioaugmentation products, but our secondary system optimization solutions include our foam control and settling aids as well.
Benefits of wastewater bioaugmentation
Shedu’s bioaugmentation and cleaning products, used together with Shedu’s operational and monitoring recommendations, will provide the following features and benefits:
• Enhances microbial populations, making them more stable and resistant to upsets
• Provides faster system start-up and recovery from upsets
• Improves contaminant degradation
• Provides a range of nutrients, stimulating growth under a wide array of conditions
• Lowers treatment costs for discharge, or reuse
• Improves community image, by improving the quality of effluent being discharged
• Minimizes the potential for fines and/or extra compliance costs from regulatory authorities, by improving treatment plant reliability
Reduce sludge volume and improve water quality
Coagulants and Flocculants for Water Treatment
Coagulation and flocculation water treatment chemicals are used to remove iron, suspended solids, organic color, and hardness from influent water.
In wastewater treatment these clarification aids help with the removal of other contaminants such as oil, phosphate and heavy metals. For raw water applications, polymer products help to eliminate the need for pH adjustment, decrease the load on demineralizers, increase filter throughout, and significantly reduce sludge volume.
Coagulation and Flocculation Process
Suspended matter in raw water supplies is removed by various methods to provide a water suitable for domestic purposes and most industrial requirements. The suspended matter can consist of large solids, settable by gravity alone without any external aids, and nonsettleable material, often colloidal in nature. Removal is generally accomplished by coagulation or flocculation. The combination of these processes is referred to as clarification.
Coagulants and Flocculants Features & Benefits
Shedu’s coagulants, flocculants, and custom-designed polymers, used together with an in-depth system audit, engineering application and operational recommendations provide the following benefits:
• Reduces fouling by solids, organics, microbiological materials and colloids
• Increases settling rates
• Improves filter performance
• Reduces sludge volume
• Improves efficiency in boiler and cooling systems
• Enhances performance of scale inhibitors
• Improves process operations
• Produces cleaner, safer drinking water