auto assembly plant improves production by using a mobile water treatment system

In the automotive assembly process, improvements to paint application technology have increasingly relied on a consistent, high quality supply of high purity water. The water is used to improve the adhesion of anti-corrosive compounds to a car’s frame and body parts, and for rinse water between paint coats to improve adhesion and consistency of the finish. The industry has traditionally operated ion exchange demineralizer systems to purify the water, which is used for the paint process. Those systems require chemical regeneration with acid and caustic soda, which must be applied under carefully controlled conditions for successful operation of the purification system. In one assembly plant, the equipment often experienced operational or regeneration failure and proved unreliable in providing the needed quality and quantity of high purity water, causing very costly production delays. In addition, use of the chemicals for regeneration proved a challenge for wastewater discharge, as the acidic stream required pH neutralization in a highly controlled operation.