Reuse of wastewater in the cosmetics industry

Scenario

Wastewater from the cosmetics industry is characterized by a high content of suspended solids, COD, oils and fats. Given the tightening of discharge limits and the increasing need for water reuse, more and more intensive and efficient treatment processes including advanced technologies are being applied to meet reuse quality requirements.

In the case of Beiersdorf Manufacturing Tres Cantos S.L. SIGMA designs and builds a complete wastewater reuse plant, based on a physico-chemical process (CAF, coagulation - flocculation, DAF) followed by a biological MBR process. 

Fats and oils are removed in the SIGMACELL ACAF equipment. The water is then homogenized and subjected to a carefully studied coagulation-flocculation process, for which Jar-Tests were carried out to determine the type and optimum dosage of coagulant (PAC with polyamine) and flocculant (cationic polyelectrolyte).

The flocculated solids are separated in a SIGMADAF FPBC-PWF equipment that allows obtaining a very high quality clarified product. For the elimination of biodegradable organic matter, a biological treatment system MBR "Membrane Bio-Reactor" with advanced Ultrafiltration membrane technology is installed. This allows to obtain a very high quality of water that is recirculated and reused in the production process of the cosmetic plant. 

Oil and Grease Separation in CAF equipment 

- Simple operation: no complex mechanical equipment and no manual intervention is required. 

- Wide range of treatment capacity: there is CAF equipment that can treat up to 500 m3/h, and can even be adapted to treat larger flows by means of special systems. 

- Excellent results: oil and grease removal in a CAF system can reach 99%. 

- In addition to the elimination of oils and greases, this equipment supports the rest of the treatment process by separating a high percentage of suspended solids. 

Suspended solids separation in SIGMADAF equipment 

• High and constant quality of the clarified product. 
• Fast start-up. 
• Minimal sludge production (sludge concentrations up to 5%, much higher than those achieved by conventional settlers).
• Easy to operate with simple, adaptable and efficient control systems. 
• Well-known technology, flexible to each case and robust. 

Aerobic biological process of activated sludge MBR type (biological reactor with ultrafiltration membranes) 

• Very high organic load reduction performance (> 90% COD and _BOD5 removal). 
• Very high concentration of BIOMASS inside the reactor: between 6,000 and 12,000 mg/L MLSS. 
• COMPACT, easy to operate and MODULAR plant. 
• High resistance to oxidizing agents. 
• Very high and CONSTANT quality of the discharged water with the possibility of REUSE. 
• Minimal sludge generation.

Wastewater characteristics

Physical-chemical treatment removal performance (CAF + DAF) 

MBR biological treatment removal performance 

Overall plant performance