Water Cascade Analysis

(WCA)
By Sydney Muzoka
The Problem Global Water
Shortage
Fresh water reserves are slowly depleting.

Coupled with Polar Ice Cap melting and drastic
Climate Change, the situation gets worse.

South Africa needs to take part in conservation.

However, should Industry stop using Water?
100ton/hr
Fresh water
100ton/hr
Wastewater
50ton/hr
wastewater
50ton/hr
Fresh water
100ton/hr
wastewater
100ton/hr
Fresh water
The Solution - WCA
It is imperative to think before
taking action.
Water Cascade Analysis is a
mathematical thinking method
which targets the right points to
recycle and reuse based on
purity requirements
WCA begins with identifying
the freshwater targets and the
purity of the wastewater of
each unit.
The water network is then
restructured in such a way that
spent water will feed a lower
quality sink.
Another mans trash is
another mans treat.


100ppm
100ton/hr
200ppm
100ton/hr
Single operation
100ton/hr
Used internally
100ppm
100ton/hr
200ppm
100ton/hr
Networked operation
Simplified Cost Benefit Analysis
Can be used for any
water consuming
process.
No extra costs on
analysis and design
as it utilises readily
available expertise.
Saves on municipal
fresh water (make up
water) consumption
block tariffs.
Costs for retrofitting
after redesign may be
greater than water
recovery.
Costs for the
purification might
increase since there
is more contamination
at the end.
WCA and Unilevers Sustainable
Living Plan
The WCA addresses sections 4, Water
and 5, Waste.
It will effectively reduce the water
consumed in all new factories and if
feasible for existing installations as well.
The amount of waste water is considerably
reduced after redirection to another sink.

Why the WCA
The catch is it can be integrated with all
other purification techniques (including the
installed systems).
It applies for all water consuming
processes (cooling, solvent, adsorbent or
reaction feed/product).
The calculation is non iterative and
simplistic.