Case Study Water Treatment Plant Relocation and Upgrade for Abrasive Technology

Abrasive Technology, a global leader in superabrasive products and coatings, required the relocation and upgrade of its existing water treatment equipment to support its manufacturing operations. AllWater Technologies delivered a solution designed to improve plant capacity, improve the safety of chemical handling and provide greater operational flexibility for future production requirements.

Case Study Overview

  • Company: Abrasive Technology
  • Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing / Finishing

  • Requirement: Relocation and upgrade of existing water treatment plant

  • Implemented Solution: Relocation of existing DI plant, upgraded ion exchange polishing system, new pH correction system, chemical transfer pumps and DI feed and return transfer lines. 

  • Results: Successful relocation and recommissioning of the existing plant without loss of production, improved chemical handling for operators, increased treatment capacity and consistent control of pH. 

The Challenge

Abrasive Technology needed to relocate its existing deionisation (DI) plant into a larger plant room while also addressing limitations within its ageing ion exchange (IEX) polishing system.

The existing IEX polisher was relatively small and the site required additional treatment capacity to accommodate anticipated increases in production, flow rates and wastewater volumes.

Improving the chemical handling was another important consideration. The existing arrangement required use of designated chemical stick pumps to transfer chemicals from 25l containers to day tanks Abrasive Technology wanted to make safer and better controlled for the team operating the plant.

The existing pH correction equipment was also due for replacement, providing an opportunity to modernise the controls and improve the usability of the system.

Importantly, the relocation and upgrade needed to be completed without disrupting ongoing production.

The Solution

AllWater Technologies developed a solution that combined the relocation of existing equipment with targeted upgrades to improve the capacity, safety and operation of the water treatment plant.

Where possible, existing site assets were retained and incorporated into the new system. This included the existing balancing tank, IEX feed tank, pumping tank and NI waste tank, helping to maximise the use of serviceable equipment while upgrading the areas of the plant where improvements were required.

The existing DI plant was successfully relocated into the new plant room without requiring production downtime.

A larger IEX polishing system was installed with an additional vessel, enabling the plant to operate in a lead-lag configuration. This allows one vessel to remain operational while another is regenerated, providing greater flexibility and continuity of treatment. It also allows great operational security and capacity.

The existing pH correction plant was replaced and upgraded, including the supply of two new dosing pumps and a new control panel with user-friendly HMI, giving operators improved visibility and control of the treatment process.

New DI feed and return transfer lines were installed as part of the wider relocation and upgrade works.

Steps Taken

  • Relocated and recommissioned the existing DI plant within the new plant room.
  • Repurposed existing site equipment where appropriate, including the balancing tank, IEX feed tank, pumping tank and NI waste tank.
  • Upgraded the existing IEX polishing system with a larger, additional vessel to enable lead-lag operation.
  • Replaced and upgraded the existing pH correction system, including two new dosing pumps.
  • Installed a new control panel and operator-friendly HMI.
  • Installed chemical transfer pumps to reduce manual handling of chemical drums.
  • Upgraded the existing chemical day tanks to accommodate the new transfer arrangement.
  • Installed new DI feed and return transfer lines.
  • Integrated existing and new equipment into the updated control system.
  • Added new alarms to improve plant monitoring and operator awareness.

The Conclusion

By combining the relocation and repurposing of serviceable existing equipment with targeted new plant and controls, AllWater was able to improve Abrasive Technology’s water treatment infrastructure without unnecessarily replacing existing assets. 

The completed system provides increased capacity for future production, improved process control and a safer working environment for operators. 

Client Feedback

“AllWater successfully completed the relocation and upgrade of our water treatment system on schedule, with minimal disruption to our day-to-day operations. Throughout the project, their team demonstrated excellent planning, technical knowledge and communication. We were very pleased with the overall delivery and the support provided.” 

— Mark Hewitt, Environmental Health and Safety Officer 

Abrasive Logo

"We have been very happy with AllWater’s professionalism and response times when we have needed help with the plant. The staff are all very helpful and knowledgeable and we are very satisfied with the service provided."

Jamie Davies

Turnspeed

"We needed a DI plant that is capable of producing the processing water to serve our Chemical Process lines twelve rinse tanks, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week at a max of 20.00 μS/cm. The water plant is now consistently cleaning the water to 1.00 μS/cm."

Steve Silk MBE

Marshall Aerospace

"We have built a good relationship with AllWater and continue to enjoy service contracts with them. They know what they’re doing and we’re always happy with their service"

Andy Best

Production Director - Vertik-Al

"AllWater Technologies installed their pure water system in our premises to replace our old system which went into retirement. The level of service and maintenance that AllWater are giving us will ensure that we get the quality of product and the length of service we are looking for out of our plant. Their level of service is excellent."

John Malone

excel gs ltd

"Thank you for all your support. I have to say that I am really impressed with All Water approach to provide a really good service. Thank you again."

Radu Vitanescu

Liberty Engineering

"AllWater have provided great service, specialist advice and an effective waste water treatment solution for our site."

Paul Pearcy

Warburtons

"AllWater have always delivered us a great service and are equally competent maintaining existing kit or installing new. They’re friendly and reliable and, perhaps most importantly, trustworthy."

Phil Parkinson

Joseph Holt

"AWT professional service allows our site to run with minimal downtime when unplanned breakdowns happen. AWT service is invaluable in maintaining our production lines throughout."

Adam Cook

Qsil

"The person was very polite and explained everything in detail. Report was typed and easy to understand."

Richard Fox

London and Brighton Plating

"We are more than satisfied with the level of service we receive from everyone at AWT. Excellent work, Thank you!"

Daniel Holden

Karas Plating

"AllWater Technologies provide an exceptional level of knowledge and support, and we cannot fault their service and commitment. The team consistently exceed expectations and although others may offer a cheaper alternative, we have every confidence that they could not offer better!"

Eric Allen

Albumedix LTD

"By using AWT we know that our plant and equipment is being maintained to the highest standard using the expertise and knowledge that we find second to none. When issues arise it is paramount that we can resolve these issues promptly; AWT are always there to support us."

Allen Staunton

Creganna Medical

"Using All Water Technologies has been a breath of fresh air. Their attentive service from the first call through to delivery completion, has made the management of our water treatment plant very easy indeed. We wash over 2.5 million items of tableware for the event industry every year, working at some of the UK’s most prestigious events, so having peace of mind over our washing operation is essential. I would recommend AWT to anyone’"

Joe Nisbet

Jongor Hire

"AWT offered Rimex a bespoke solution to our water softening and storage requirements. They took charge and managed the project efficiently and effectively from the very beginning. I am delighted with the outcome and I will continue to use AWT for preventative maintenance and any other future projects."

Daniel Meakin

Rimex Metals

"All went very well with the plant being well finished, installation being of a high standard and all works being completed on time and to specification."

Dom Oughton

Optimum

"We’ve been working with the AllWater team for eight years and they have always been attentive to our needs. AllWater redesigned our borehole system, transforming it into a robust and reliable plant whilst helping us improve water recovery and achieve significant water savings. We’ve depended on this system and their technical guidance for many years now and will continue to do so. Their work helps give us confidence and they are a partner we know we can trust."

Stephen Shields

Huntapac - Technical & Sustainability Director

"At Butcombe, AllWater Technologies have been servicing the water treatment systems in our brewery for over 10 years. They are always at hand when we need them and all very friendly to deal with, and callouts are always made in a very timely manner. They have kept our beer flowing having never let us down.A great company with a quality reliable service."

Simon Court

Brewer - Butcombe Brewing Co.

"AWT were professional and supportive throughout the design, installation, and commissioning process. They played a key role in helping us understand and operate the new system, while providing ongoing guidance that was instrumental in the successful management of our new plant."

James Bartlett

Attewell

"AllWater successfully completed the relocation and upgrade of our water treatment system on schedule, with minimal disruption to our day-to-day operations. Throughout the project, their team demonstrated excellent planning, technical knowledge and communication. We were very pleased with the overall delivery and the support provided."

Mark Hewitt

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