Water Treatment for Power Generation
Water Treatment for Power Generation: In January of 2016 Quantum Filtration Medium conducted a series of site visits to assess the options for upgrading the water treatment plant supplying water to the Kuala Langat Power Plant (KLPP). The goal was to highlight low cost options with a low impact on plant serviceability to increase the plant performance, efficiency and reliability, and ability to better cope with the seasonal load changes experienced in the raw water supply.
The operation of KLPP has begun since 1996 using combined cycle gas turbine and the plant is currently contributing 675MW of electricity generation capacity to the grid. The ability of the plant to supply electricity to the grid according to its obligation under the Power Purchase Agreement depends on a number of factors including reliable clean water supply for the purpose of cooling. On average, KLPP draws 20,000 cubic meters of treated water for its daily operation. For optimal operation and life of the plant, the water needs to be as clean as possible with low content of organic or inorganic substance that would impact the plant operation.
There are four mains areas of the plant where the potential for considerable improvements were identified.
• The possibility of adding bore water to the raw water supply
• Clarification of the raw water before entering the plant
• Optimisation of the flocculent/polymer dosing program (inc. type and dosing rate)
• Changing of the media in the rapid sand filters to KT-20
Water is a vital component in the pharmaceutical industry, serving as an essential ingredient in the manufacturing of medications, injections, and other health products. The purity of water in pharmaceutical processes is governed by stringent regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety and efficacy of drug products. Consequently, the treatment of water must meet high standards, requiring advanced technologies capable of removing various contaminants, including heavy metals, turbidity, organic compounds, and pathogens. KT-20 filter media has emerged as an effective solution for providing high-quality water in pharmaceutical applications.
Importance of Safe Water in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Product Quality and Efficacy: Water is involved in numerous pharmaceutical processes, from formulation and dilution to cleaning and sterilization. Impurities in water can compromise the quality, safety, and efficacy of drug products, potentially leading to adverse health effects in patients.
Regulatory Compliance: The pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated, with agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) enforcing strict guidelines for water quality. These agencies define acceptable levels of contaminants and require adherence to regulations such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and International Pharmaceutical Excipient Council (IPEC) standards.
Microbial Control: Water used in pharmaceutical manufacturing must be free from microbial contamination to prevent product spoilage and contamination of sterile products. Pharmacopeial guidelines require microbial count limits to ensure safety.
Preventing Equipment Damage: Impurities such as iron and manganese can cause corrosion and build-up in pipes and equipment, leading to inefficiencies, increased maintenance costs, and costly downtime in production.
KT-20 is a specialized filtration media comprised primarily of manganese dioxide, which is effective in removing a variety of contaminants present in water sources used within the pharmaceutical industry. The treatment process performs the following key functions:
Removal of Iron and Manganese:
– Oxidation and Filtration: KT-20 facilitates the oxidation of dissolved iron (Fe²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) to their insoluble forms (Fe³⁺ and MnO₂). These oxidized particles can be effectively filtered out, ensuring that the water is free from these problematic metals.
Removal of Arsenic and Heavy Metals:
– Adsorption: The high surface area and unique properties of KT-20 allow for effective adsorption of heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, and cadmium. This pivotal feature helps ensure that water complies with regulatory limits for heavy metals.
Turbidity and Suspended Solids Reduction:
– Depth Filtration: KT-20 operates as a depth filter, capturing suspended solids, sediments, and turbidity-causing particles throughout the media bed. By removing these impurities, the clarity of the water is improved, meeting essential pharmaceutical requirements.
Organic Compounds Removal:
– Adsorption Mechanisms: Alongside heavy metals, KT-20 is formulated to adsorb organic contaminants, including pesticides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), further enhancing the water’s safety and purity.
Microbial Control:
– While KT-20 is primarily a physical and chemical filtration media, ensuring that the system is coupled with appropriate disinfection methods (such as UV treatment) post-filtration can further reduce microbial contamination. This comprehensive approach ensures that the water remains microbiologically safe for pharmaceutical use.
The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on high-quality water to ensure product safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulatory standards. KT-20 filter media provides a robust solution for treating water in this sector, effectively removing iron, manganese, arsenic, heavy metals, turbidity, suspended solids, and organic compounds. By implementing KT-20 in their water treatment processes, pharmaceutical manufacturers can achieve the safe, clean water quality necessary for producing reliable and effective health products, protect their equipment from damage, and maintain compliance with stringent pharmaceutical regulations. As the demand for high standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing increases, the adoption of advanced filtration technologies like KT-20 will play a crucial role in safeguarding public health and ensuring the continued integrity of the pharmaceutical industry.
