chemicals company Omnia has commissioned a reverse osmosis water treatment plant at its Sasolburg site to enhance its water efficiency and reduce water consumption by recycling the cooling tower discharge into the cooling tower make-up.
Reverse osmosis is a process where a large majority of contaminants is removed by pushing the water under pressure through a semipermeable membrane.
The plant will reduce the site’s consumption of potable water and its reliance on municipal water, as well as reduce the effluent discharge produced in the manufacturing process. The plant will also edge the group closer to achieving its sustainable development goals, says Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy.
The project is estimated to yield an approximate saving of 180 Mℓ a year. The social benefits include indirect job creation during construction and commissioning, as well as the direct employment of the operational staff responsible for the daily running and maintenance of the plant.