Water Treatment Process

Water is a critical factor in every aspect of the food and beverage industry. From cleaning
process machinery to incorporation in food and beverage products, quality water is essential to
efficient processing and manufacturing. Since food and beverage products can affect the health
of consumers, processing and distribution facilities are held to stringent standards for water
quality. Also, used water that leaves food and beverage processing facilities must be treated
before it is discharged to meet environmental regulations.
Water treatment in the food and beverage industry varies widely depending on the specific
application. Some of the most useful water treatment methods include reverse osmosis,
ultraviolet (UV) water treatment, filtration, and deionization.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that removes a variety of bacterial and chemical
contaminants by using a semi-permeable membrane. The extremely fine holes of the membrane
filter prevent large particles from passing through for purified, potable water that can be used
for food and beverage products.

Ultraviolet Water Treatment

Ultraviolet water treatment purifies water by killing pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and
protozoa. While more traditional water treatment processes use harsh chemicals, UV systems
allow for water purification without harsh substances. This improves the flavor and quality of
the water and reduces the potential for chemical contamination of both end products and
wastewater runoff.

Filtration
Filtration is a fundamental water treatment method that uses a variety of media to remove
certain chemicals and solids from water prior to reverse osmosis, UV treatment, or
deionization. It is ideal for water treatment plants in the food industry, which often treat
wastewater from food processing that can contain a variety of solid and organic waste. Since
filtration cannot remove inorganic solids, salts, or minerals, it is often used in conjunction with
more thorough treatment processes.

Deionization
Deionization is a common water treatment process in industrial water purification systems.
Water is passed through an electrically charged resin to remove unwanted minerals and ions,
leaving pure water. It is a common means of removing calcium, iron, and other minerals for
high-purity water that can be used in food and beverage processing and drinking water.
Settling
A settling system uses a tank to remove suspended particles from water. These particles, which
have a higher density than the water, fall to the bottom of the tank. Common contaminants
removed through settling include fats and greases, hair, sand, grit, wood, bottles and sludge.
The latter, which builds on the bottom of suspension tanks, must be discharged regularly.

Flowchart of Water Treatment Process

Borewell
(120 ft, 140 ft, 290 ft)
(3 in numbers)

↓ (Chlorination 2-4 ppm)

Raw water storage tank
(550 KL)

↓
Sand Filter Vessels (PSF)
(4 in number)

↓
A Carbon Filler (ACF)
(5 tanks)

↓Anti Scalent (7%)

Micron Cartridge Filler (MCF)

↓
Reverse Osmosis
(2 in number)
(R.O 1 is 36m³, R.O 2 is 32m³)
 ↓
RO Product Storage Tank
(4 tank, 7kl each)

↓
Micron Cartridge Filter (MCF)

↓
UV System

↓
Treated Water

Sand Filter Vessels

 Small solid particles are removed by each layer of PSF.
 It helps in physical contaminant removal.
 It does not separate dissolved salts from water, only separates suspended solids.
 Backwash is needed to reuse the vessel for other filtrations.

Activated Carbon Filter (ACF)

 Activated carbon adsorbs the impurities from water onto its surface.
 Impurities make bonds with carbon structure.
 Backwash is need to refresh the carbon or reactivate it.
 It separates total dissolved solids from water.

Cartridge Filter
 The cartridge filters must be provided and installed on or just prior to the NF skid.
 The cartridge filter housing must be constructed of 316L stainless steel.
 The filter housing must be rated for maximum expected operating pressure.
 The cartridge filter housing should meet the requirements of its intended use.
 Each cartridge housing must have the following:
i. Inlet and outlet pressure gauges
ii. Inlet and outlet isolation valves
iii. Inlet and outlet sanitary sample valves
iv. Drain and vent valves
Manufacture Control Point
1. Chlorine Testing: It is done in raw water and soft water. In raw water chlorine powder of 2
to 4ppm is added and in soft water 0.5 to 1ppm chlorine is added. Color changes to pink
indicates chlorine level in water.
2. Total Dissolved Solids: Total dissolved solids refer to the total concentration of dissolved
substances in drinking water (organic and inorganic materials). Total dissolved solids (TDS)
comprise inorganic salts, principally calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates,
chlorides, and sulfates and some small amounts of organic matter that are dissolved in water. It
is checked by conductivity meter. Standard TDS of RO water is 28.4 mg/L.
3. pH: The pH value of a water source is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity. The pH level is a
measurement of the activity of the hydrogen atom, because the hydrogen activity is a good
representation of the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Water with a low pH is said to be acidic,
and water with a high pH is basic, or alkaline. Pure water would have a pH of 7.0, but water
sources and precipitation tend to be slightly acidic, due to contaminants that are in the water.
Standard pH of water is 6.5 – 7. It is checked by pH meter.
4. M alkalinity: Alkalinity is a measure of water’s ability to neutralize acids or resist changes
that cause acidity, maintaining stable pH. M is pH indicator methyl orange.
In 100ml water, add 2 drop phenolphthalein, 3-4 drop methyl orange and titrate with N/50
H2SO4.
5. Total Hardness: Total hardness refers to sum of calcium and magnesium concentration in
water.
In 100ml water, add 2 tablets of hardness. Then add ammonia buffer and titrate it with N/50
EDTA. Color change to sky blue indicates no hardness in water.
6. Turbidity: Turbidity is the measure of relative clarity of a liquid. It is an optical
characteristic of water and is a measurement of the amount of light that is scattered by material
in the water when a light is shined through the water sample. Turbidity is commonly measured
in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Turbidimeters is used to measure turbidity of water.

Advantages of using RO water treatment system

High Purity Water: RO systems can produce high purity water with low levels of contaminants.
This is important in the food and beverage industry as it ensures that products are safe for
consumption and meet regulatory standards.
Cost-Effective: RO systems are cost-effective compared to other water treatment methods
because they require minimal maintenance and have low operating costs.
Environmentally Friendly: RO systems do not use chemicals or produce wastewater, making
them environmentally friendly.
Versatile: RO systems can be used for various applications in the food and beverage industry
such as ingredient water, process water, boiler feedwater, cooling tower makeup water, and
wastewater treatment.
Easy Installation: RO systems are easy to install and can be customized to fit specific needs.
Improved Taste: Removing impurities from water can improve the taste of final products such
as drinks, soups, sauces, and other food items.