Rationalizing the Use of Water in Industry—Part 1: Summary of the Instruments Developed by the Clean Technology Network in the State of Bahia and Main Results Obtained

Abstract

Based on cleaner production concepts, a method for water use minimization has been developed by the Clean Technol- ogy Network of Bahia (TECLIM) at one of the largest industrial complexes in Latin America located in the State of Bahia, Brazil. This method is concerned with an area of secondary interest to the productive sector: the use of water. Based on the best cleaner production principles (CP), nine instruments have been developed during cooperative projects with chemical, petrochemical and copper metallurgical industries. These instruments are described in Part 2 of this pa- per [1]. The main benefits derived from partnership schemes include: a reduction in water consumption and effluent generation; the development of a techno-operational culture to increase eco-efficiency; and the introduction of concep- tual projects to ensure the continuity of the activities in the company after the projects have been completed. The spe- cific consumption of water was reduced by 20% as a consequence of the application of this method in Company A; a specific reduction in the generation of effluents of more than 40% was observed in Company B; a 42% fall in fresh wa- ter consumption in Company C; and a 20% decrease in the cost of effluent treatment in Company D. Among the diffi- culties encountered were the limited time availability of the operators and engineers for the project, the lack of meas- urement and calibration of available flow meters and the lack of detailed technical data.