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Any business that utilizes boilers should be aware of the importance of boiler water pre-treatment. Feedwater that enters a boiler can carry within it any number of impurities, contaminants, or other unwanted material that can harm the boiler and lead to downtime or premature repairs or replacements. A layer of scale as thin as an eggshell can increase fuel usage by as much ten percent, and since fuel is often the most expensive portion of running a boiler, that can add up quickly and significantly reduce profits. To both maximize the efficiency of a boiler, and protect and prolong its working lifespan, feedwater pre-treatment is almost always necessary.

The exact pre-treatment system needed will always depend on the makeup of the feedwater and other factors.

What Does Pre-Treatment Accomplish?

 Pre-treatment can prevent many common issues associated with boiler water, including scaling and corrosion which are two of the most common and impactful issues associated with poorly treated boiler water. Water can hold minerals and suspended solids that can deposit onto heat transfer surfaces and reduce efficiency of the system and reduce the boiler’s longevity. Proper boiler water pre-treatment starts by talking to a water treatment expert. Contact us today to get in touch with one of our experienced engineers.

Want to know more about boiler water treatment? Let’s talk water!     

The final type of specialized filtration that this blog series will explore is reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis, or RO for short, is a popular choice across many industries for its ability to produce consistent high purity water that is well-suited for many industrial processes. As with any form of filtration, reverse osmosis has pros and cons that should be weighed to determine whether RO is a good fit for your goals.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Reverse osmosis is popular thanks to its ability to achieve highly pure water. More than any other type of filtration that we have discussed so far, RO’s results are the purest, and can be used in a number of applications in different industries, from PCB fabrication to food and beverage, manufacturing and much more. To learn more about using reverse osmosis to treat water, check out our webpage here, or contact us with any questions you have!

Want to know more about ultrafiltration and MF membranes? Let’s talk water!     

In water treatment, filtration often happens through the use of a semi-porous membrane. Water is sent through the membrane, which has pores that allow water to pass through but block certain materials like bacteria and suspended solids from passing through along with it, thus separating these materials from the water. This process achieves a more useful process water, and can be repeated several times with different filters to achieve different levels of purity.

Ultrafiltration Pros and Cons

Ultrafiltration is somewhat similar to microfiltration in terms of what it can do. The main difference between the two membranes is that ultrafiltration has a smaller pore size and can therefore separate more from the water than a microfiltration filter can. While microfiltration filters can remove suspended solids and most bacteria, ultrafiltration can remove all of the above as well as most viruses, making it a more effective, consistent alternative, depending on the desired product. Like microfiltration, ultrafiltration is also often used as a pre-treatment step before sending water on to finer filtration methods.

Want to know more about ultrafiltration and MF membranes? Let’s talk water!     

In water treatment, filtration often happens through the use of a semi-porous membrane. Water is sent through the membrane, which has pores that allow water to pass through but block certain materials like bacteria and suspended solids from passing through along with it, thus separating these materials from the water. This process achieves a more useful process water, and can be repeated several times with different filters to achieve different levels of purity.

Ultrafiltration Pros and Cons

Ultrafiltration is somewhat similar to microfiltration in terms of what it can do. The main difference between the two membranes is that ultrafiltration has a smaller pore size and can therefore separate more from the water than a microfiltration filter can. While microfiltration filters can remove suspended solids and most bacteria, ultrafiltration can remove all of the above as well as most viruses, making it a more effective, consistent alternative, depending on the desired product. Like microfiltration, ultrafiltration is also often used as a pre-treatment step before sending water on to finer filtration methods.

Want to know more about ultrafiltration and MF membranes? Let’s talk water!     

Microfiltration (MF) membranes usually have some of the largest pores of the commonly used filtration membranes that we will discuss in this blog series. They are often used as a pre-treatment step to remove larger contaminants from the water before sending it through a finer filter, depending on the desired level of separation. They can usually remove such materials as sediment and suspended solids, and larger biological growth like algae and some bacteria. They cannot, however, remove smaller or microscopic materials like viruses or multivalent or monovalent ions.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Because microfiltration is a physical separation process, it can remove contaminants from water without the need for harsh or expensive chemicals. Its larger pore size makes it excellent for a ‘first pass’ filtration, to partially filter water before sending it on for further filtration, such as ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis. It can be used in the food industry to clarify liquids, like fruit juice, and has usefulness in other applications that don’t require fine filtration. The major disadvantage of microfiltration is the fact that its large pore size cannot separate microscopic materials from water.

Want to know more about microfiltration and MF membranes? Let’s talk water!     

A company’s core values define its purpose, goals, and work ethic. At FCT Water, we strive to uphold our core values in everything we do in order to set us apart from the crowd and provide a truly exceptional experience for our customers. By embodying the values below, we believe that we can raise the standards of what it means to be a water treatment service and specialty chemical provider. 

Let Us Prove It

Our core values are much more than just something to put on a plaque or a company memo. They guide and focus our work, pushing us to maintain a level of excellence that few can match. By following our company vision, we hope to continue to develop and innovate in the field of water treatment and continue to meet and surpass our customer’s expectations.

Don’t believe us? Contact us today and let us show you how dedicated we are to providing top-notch quality and care to our customers.

Our Deionized (DI) Water operations have expanded in our main facility in Greeley, Colorado!

Our Process and Services

FCT Water can custom engineer a deionized water system to meet whatever requirements your facility may require. From a system audit and improvement to a newly constructed system, we can provide a turnkey solution. At our in-house regeneration plant we are able to regenerate and/or re-bed all of the different types of resin tanks mentioned above, including mixed-bed resin. Our network of warehousing and delivery teams allow us to provide quick turnaround times and excellent customer service. This deionized water bottle delivery service means a consistent stream of ultra-pure water for you, with very little hassle and a plan that fits your specific needs.

The Earth Day Legacy

Founded in 1970, Earth Day has been a cornerstone for environmental education for more than half a century! That’s certainly a long time, and while the world has taken many great steps towards becoming a greener, healthier planet, there’s still a lot that can be done. Luckily, Earth Day continues to grow more and more each year, with many celebrating Earth Day Week or even Earth Month! If you’re interested in getting involved, check out the official Earth Day website to learn about taking action. If you’re new to environmental action, remember that it’s never too late to start!

Earth Day and Water

Did you know that about 71% of Earth’s surface is covered in water? That’s a lot of water! And a lot of surface area. Water is a very important part of the environment and virtually all life depends on water. We talked some about the importance of water for World Water Day, but since water is a part of the natural environment, it’s also a part of Earth Day. As populations grow and water usage for industrial, commercial, and domestic processes surge, freshwater is quickly becoming scarcer. Here at FCT Water, we know that industrial processes can use a lot of water, and that proper water treatment can do a lot to save a significant amount of that water. Even a small amount can add up over time for significant savings. Here are just a few things to try that can make your water treatment more eco-friendly:

1. Ensure cycles of concentration are maximized – This can prevent unnecessary water from leaving your boiler or cooling system as blowdown/bleed.
2. Identify possible areas for water reuse within your facility – Re-using water is a great way to conserve water and even save money over time.
3. Consider green chemistry treatment alternatives for your systems – Some treatment options, like purified tannins – come from renewable sources and can be effective water treatment solutions.

There are plenty of ways that water treatment can help conserve water, and plenty more ways that you can go green for Earth Day at home or at work. If you’re interested in learning more about our water treatment options, get in touch – we would love to hear from you!

1. Chemicals and Gases

This one might be the most obvious but also the most important to be aware of. Water treatment often involves chemical substances, including gases. Chlorine, methane, acids, bleach, and more can all be found where water is being treated. Coming into contact with these chemicals or inhaling the gaseous chemical compounds could lead to some serious medical emergencies. Always be aware of where these chemicals are meant to be, and ensure they are always stored properly when not in use. When handling dangerous materials, always be sure to understand and use the proper personal protective equipment (or PPE) for the job.

2. Height

Most water treatment plants aren’t exactly housed in skyscrapers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks associated with heights and falls. Certain work areas will sometimes require workers to operate at heights that require fall protection. For example, a safety harness may be required to protect against dangerous falls. Additionally, there may be hazards associated with tanks and open water sources at or near ground level. Be sure to always wear non-slip footwear and use handrails where available.

3. Confined Spaces

Much like with heights, workers will sometimes be required to access confined or hazardous spaces. Whether it’s for cleaning sludge or access to a compartment for maintenance, confined spaces can be dangerous. It is important to make sure that an adult person can easily enter and exit the space, as well as make sure that no gases have built up inside the space before entering. Always follow prescribed confined space entry protocols, including any lockout-out tag-out procedures.

4. Exposure

There are several substances in a water treatment plant that are potentially dangerous when a person is exposed to them. UV radiation, for example, can come from germicidal UV lights. Overexposure to this type of radiation can be harmful to the skin or eyes, and proper safety measures such as protective eyewear should be followed when working with this type of equipment. Depending on the substance, other PPE may be required for maximum safety.

5. Machine and Electrical

Water treatment operations often involve the use of heavy machinery, such as pumps or turbines, and maintenance of these systems may require workers to be in proximity to dangerous moving parts or exposed electrical components. Always follow the correct safety procedures when dealing with this type of machinery to avoid electrical shock or injury. Always follow lock-out and tag-out guidelines to make sure all machinery or electrical components are safe to work with before getting close.

Safety should always be of paramount importance within a water treatment facility or any industrial facility for that matter. For that reason, it is important to always know and follow proper safety guidelines. Before starting any job, make sure you know all the procedures in place to be able to do it safely. Err on the side of caution, and if a situation ever feels unsafe, remember that it’s okay to listen to that feeling and reassess or ask a supervisor.

Play it safe. Let us handle the headaches. Contact us for your water treatment needs!

Celebrating Water and the Future

World Water Day, which occurs every year on March 22^nd, is a day to celebrate water and all the benefits it brings to us. Water is a necessary and important resource for many reasons. From drinking to bathing, cleaning, and sanitization, to industrial processes and more, water is everywhere and plays a huge role in everyone’s lives. But many people around the world don’t have access to a consistent source of clean, safe water, which is why a big part of World Water Day is also to raise awareness of water-related issues and promote conservation and positive change.

Why Clean Water (and World Water Day) is Important

One of the major reasons for the establishment of World Water Day by the UN in 1993 was to raise awareness of the world water crisis and establish achievable goals for bringing safe water to people in need in underserved communities around the world. Even today, hundreds of millions of people on Earth are without safe, clean water for daily use according to the UN Water’s SDG-6 Synthesis Report 2018 on Water and Sanitization. Water is essential for life; for drinking, but also for basic sanitization needs such as washing hands and bathing, and as factors such as climate change and growing populations change and develop, water is becoming scarcer in some areas. Furthermore, as the use of water in industrial processes surges, wastewater treatment and recycling are becoming increasingly important as well. A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) has been put in place by UN Water to encourage better management of water, with the ultimate goal being clean water and sanitization for everyone by the year 2030. While that’s only nine years away now, we believe that it is an achievable goal, and hope that everyone does their part to make water a given for everyone. We’ll certainly be doing our part!

Water makes the world go round. We want to know what water means to you.