Water treatment in the metal industry
In the metalworking and finishing industry, water is intensively used in pickling, plating, degreasing and cooling operations. These processes generate complex effluent streams often loaded with heavy metals (such as Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr) and aggressive additives like acids, alkalis or surfactants. Without proper treatment, these wastewaters can pose significant environmental risks and lead to non-compliance with legal discharge standards. Facilities active in metal surface treatment fall under the EU BREF STM (Surface Treatment of Metals), which sets specific BAT-AELs for pollutants and encourages performance benchmarks for water reuse and waste reduction.
Trevi’s approach to water treatment in the metal industry
Trevi develops bespoke treatment strategies based on the type of metal processed, wastewater concentration, and flow volume. Typically, these systems combine:
- pH adjustment and metal precipitation, followed by
- Flocculation, sedimentation, and sand filtration for polishing
Where stricter emission targets or water reuse is needed, we integrate advanced modules such as:
- Selective ion exchange for target-specific metal removal
- Membrane or thermal evaporation for volume reduction and water recovery
- Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) when discharge is restricted or not permitted
Our approach helps metal processing sites meet demanding discharge limits, reduce sludge output, and drive down operating costs.
Water treatment projects in the metal industry
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