Page 41 - Towards A Sustainable Future 2024

While the treatment process effectively removes solid
Figure 4: Brazing of Copper Pipes.
Used water
Figure 5:
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contaminants, rendering the water suitable for disposal, it is
not suitable, for reuse in cooling applications. This limitation
arises from flux, a chemical compound dissolved in the water
during brazing. Flux serves the crucial function of eliminating
oxides and contaminants from joint surfaces to ensure the
formation of robust, high-quality brazed joints. However,
its corrosive nature risks the integrity of electronic devices,
precluding the reuse of treated water for cooling purposes.
The amount of water disposed of from the brazing process is
140,000 litres (140 m3) annually. The annual carbon emission
= 140 m3 x 1.43 kgCO2/m3 = 200 kg/CO2
Product Testing Condensate
During the pre-delivery product testing phase, a functional
test is conducted on the refrigeration units to ensure
operational efficacy. A by-product of this process is
condensate, which forms when the evaporator coil cools the
warm, humid air passing over it. To manage the condensate,
a suction system, as shown in Figure 6, efficiently collects
it into a designated container, which is then disposed of as
wastewater. The amount of condensate generated annually
is estimated at 160 m3.
Used water treated in sediment
Wastewater treatment.