Sustainability: The Evolution of Water Treatment

Water treatment has come a long way from its early days of simple filtration and chlorination. Today, advanced technologies and sustainable chemical solutions are employed to address a wide range of contaminants and ensure water safety. Brainerd Chemical is proud to lead the way in developing biodegradable and non-toxic chemicals and processes to help our customers achieve more responsible water treatment operations.

The Rise of Peracetic Acid

Peracetic acid (PAA) is an organic peroxide with strong oxidizing properties. It is produced by reacting acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. PAA has gained popularity in water treatment due to its effectiveness, versatility, and environmental benefits.

PAA is a broad-spectrum disinfectant that is highly effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Its strong oxidizing potential allows it to break down cell walls and disrupt cellular functions, leading to rapid disinfection¹.

Unlike chlorine-based disinfectants, PAA does not produce harmful disinfection by-products. This is a significant advantage, as DBPs like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) have been associated with health risks².

PAA decomposes quickly into acetic acid, water, and oxygen, leaving no harmful residues. This makes it an environmentally friendly option for water treatment². And, PAA maintains its efficacy across a wide pH range and is less affected by the presence of organic matter compared to other disinfectants. This makes it suitable for diverse water treatment applications¹.

Applications of Peracetic Acid

Peracetic acid’s versatility makes it a valuable tool increasingly used for water treatment due to its effectiveness and environmental benefits. A wide range of industries use PAA to improve operational efficiency and achieve greater environmentally responsible operations such as:

Municipal Wastewater Treatment

PAA is increasingly used in municipal wastewater treatment plants to disinfect effluent before discharge into water bodies. Its rapid action and minimal environmental impact make it an attractive alternative to chlorine².

Food and Beverage Industry

In the food and beverage industry, PAA is used to sanitize equipment, surfaces, and packaging materials. Its ability to break down into harmless by-products ensures that there is no risk of contamination³.

Oil & Gas

PAA is use as a biocide to control bacteria in water systems, reduce microbial contamination, control hydrogen sulfide levels, reduce iron sulfide emulsions and scale, as well as treat produced and flow-back water allowing for more sustainable operations that are less dependent upon fresh water.

Healthcare

PAA is employed in healthcare settings for sterilizing medical instruments and surfaces. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and rapid action are crucial for maintaining hygiene and preventing infections³.

Pulp and Paper Industry

PAA is used for bleaching and disinfecting paper products. Its strong oxidizing properties help achieve high levels of whiteness and microbial control⁴.

Cooling Towers

PAA is used in cooling towers to control microbial growth and biofilm formation. Its effectiveness in varying water conditions and rapid decomposition make it a preferred choice for maintaining system efficiency⁴.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Peracetic acid (PAA) is a safe and powerful oxidizing agent offering significant benefits. The Brainerd Chemical team helps our customers expand the use of this eco-friendly solution by overcoming commonly perceived challenges:

Handling and Safety Concerns

   – Challenge: PAA is a potent chemical that requires careful handling to prevent skin burns, respiratory issues, or other safety hazards.

   – Solution: Proper safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adequate ventilation, and proper storage practices, are critical. Additionally, training workers on safe handling procedures and emergency response can minimize risks.

Stability and Storage

   – Challenge: PAA can decompose over time, especially when exposed to light or heat, which reduces its effectiveness.

   – Solution: PAA should be stored in cool, dark conditions and used within its shelf life. Manufacturers often provide stabilized formulations of PAA to extend its stability.

Odor and Byproducts

   – Challenge: PAA has a strong vinegar-like odor, which can be unpleasant and may cause discomfort. It can also produce acetic acid and other byproducts that may affect water quality or require further treatment.

   – Solution: Proper dosing and ventilation can minimize odor issues. Additionally, the use of activated carbon or other treatment methods can help remove unwanted byproducts from treated water.

Dosing and Control

   – Challenge: Precise dosing of PAA is essential for effective treatment without overuse, which can lead to excess residuals or unwanted side reactions.

   – Solution: Automated dosing systems with real-time monitoring can ensure accurate application of PAA. These systems can adjust the dosage based on the water’s characteristics, such as organic load or microbial count, to optimize effectiveness.

Regulatory and Environmental Concerns

   – Challenge: There may be regulatory restrictions on the use of PAA, especially regarding discharge limits for byproducts like acetic acid. Environmental impacts need careful consideration.

   – Solution: Compliance with local and federal regulations is crucial. This may involve pre-treatment or post-treatment steps to ensure that discharge levels meet environmental standards. Conducting environmental impact assessments and working closely with regulators can help address these concerns.

Compatibility with Other Treatment Chemicals

   – Challenge: PAA may react with other treatment chemicals, leading to reduced efficacy or the formation of harmful byproducts.

   – Solution: Careful planning and coordination of chemical dosing schedules are required to avoid adverse interactions. Compatibility testing and consultation with chemical suppliers can guide the safe and effective integration of PAA into a water treatment program.

Cost

   – Challenge: PAA can appear to be more expensive than other disinfectants.

   – Solution: Cost concerns dissipate when considering the impact of PAA adoption across the complete water treatment operation including effectiveness, reduced safety issues, and substantially improved environmental outcomes. Additionally, optimizing the dosing and using PAA in conjunction with other treatment methods often reduces overall costs.

Learn How to Integrate PAA Into Your Operations

Organizations can take advantage of the benefits of PAA while minimizing potential downsides. There are a variety of resources available to learn more about implementing peracetic acid solutions for water treatment. The upcoming Association of Water Technologies (AWT) Annual Convention & Exposition in Louisville, KY is an ideal resource. A host of experts will be on hand including water treatment specialists from Brainerd Chemical Company. Attend educational sessions to build the skills that can have an immediate effect on the future direction of your business—and impact your bottom line. And the Exposition Hall offers a glimpse of the latest industry advances and live demonstrations of products and technologies that are changing the field of water treatment.

Looking Forward

The future of water treatment is promising with peracetic acid emerging as an effective and sustainable tool, offering broad-spectrum disinfection and minimal environmental impact. Its versatility makes it suitable for various applications across multiple industries, including municipal wastewater treatment, food and beverage, healthcare, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and cooling towers.

Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving its stability, reducing costs, and expanding applications.  to help industries prioritize environmentally responsible operations through sustainable water treatment solutions.

By embracing innovative technologies like peracetic acid, the water treatment industry can continue to evolve and meet the growing demands for safe and clean water through environmentally responsible solutions.

About Brainerd Chemical Company:

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States, manufacturing, blending, packaging and distributing chemical products to a wide variety of industrial sectors.

Media Inquiries:

Brainerd Chemical Company:  1+ (918) 622-1214

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company

1 Emerging Trends In Disinfection Peracetic Acid – Water Online. https://www.wateronline.com/doc/emerging-trends-in-disinfection-peracetic-acid-0001.

2 How peracetic acid is changing wastewater treatment. https://cen.acs.org/environment/water/peracetic-acid-changing-wastewater-treatment/98/i15.

3 What You Need To Know About Peracetic Acid (PAA) For Water Treatment …. https://www.blue-white.com/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-peracetic-acid-paa-for-water-treatment/.

4 Formation of Halogenated Byproducts upon Water Treatment with Peracetic …. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.est.1c06118.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 Certified Water Treatment

Water supply and wastewater systems rely on consistent delivery of water treatment chemicals to maintain effective and efficient operations. Yet, many organizations struggle to find the NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified water treatment products they need in quantities smaller than bulk tanker loads, resulting in reduced operational efficiency.

Brainerd Chemical stands apart as one of the few suppliers that offers NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified water treatment chemicals in quantities smaller than bulk tanker including citric acid, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, sulfuric acid, and the Terrastat© line of peracetic acid products. Visit www.nsf.org to view all Brainerd Chemical NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified water treatment products.

Brainerd Chemical Company is uniquely positioned to help you safely meet your operational and sustainability goals. Whether you need to improve water quality, manage water reuse, or to extend equipment life, we offer a wide selection of NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 Certified water treatment products as well as custom labeling and packaging services tailored to your specific requirements.

Brainerd Chemical Company Key Benefits

When you work with Brainerd Chemical Company, you can expect that we place stewardship, safety, and service at the forefront of everything we do. You can count on:

Comprehensive product offering: NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified products for use in municipal and industrial water treatment.

Flexible packaging options: NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified chemicals are supplied in 5-gallon pails, drums, totes, or bulk tanker.

Custom private labeling: Products are ready for immediate use with custom-branded labels to your specifications on any size of packaging.

Minimized risks. Our team of expert chemists, engineers and a highly trained service staff focused on safety, stewardship, and unparalleled service through every phase of the supply chain.

Market segments we serve:

Brainerd Chemical Company supports businesses across various industries by providing NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified products for:

1. Municipal Water Treatment: Drinking water and wastewater treatment. Chemicals commonly used in municipal water treatment plants for coagulation and flocculation processes. These chemicals help to remove impurities and suspended solids from water, ensuring regulatory standard compliance for safe drinking water. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification establishes that these chemicals are safe for use in municipal water treatment systems.
2. Industrial Water Treatment: Industrial wastewater and pre-treatment. Treatment chemicals may be used as corrosion and scale inhibitors, coagulants, and flocculants, as well as a biocide, disinfectant or oxidizer. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification ensures the safety and quality of these chemicals in industrial water treatment applications, such as boiler water treatment, cooling water treatment, and process water treatment.
3. Hygiene and Janitorial: Commercial buildings, including hotels, hospitals, and office complexes use treatment chemicals as a sanitizer, biocide, disinfectant, antimicrobial, bleaching agent, and deodorizer. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification provides assurance that these chemicals meet stringent safety and quality standards for use in commercial water treatment applications.
4. Agriculture: Treatment chemicals help improve water quality for irrigation and crop production while minimizing environmental impact. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification ensures that these chemicals are safe for use in agricultural applications and do not pose risks to human health or the environment.
5. Food and Beverage: Food and beverage manufacturers use water treatment chemicals to ensure the quality and safety of their products. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification is essential to meet regulatory requirements and ensure consumer confidence in the safety of food and beverage products.
6. Oil and Gas: The oil and gas industry utilize water treatment chemicals for various purposes, including fracking, drilling, and production processes. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification ensures that these chemicals meet health and environmental standards.
7. Recreational Facilities: Recreational facilities such as parks, campgrounds, and sports facilities often use water treatment systems for drinking water supplies and sanitation purposes. NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certified products are crucial for maintaining water quality in these environments.

What is NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 Certification?

NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 is an American National Standard that establishes the minimum health-effects requirements for the chemicals, chemical contaminants and impurities that are directly added to drinking water from drinking water treatment chemicals.
Certification ensures that these chemicals meet the safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
This standard does not establish performance or taste and odor requirements for drinking water treatment chemicals.
In North America, any organization that manufactures, sells, or distributes water treatment chemicals is required to comply with NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 minimum standard requirements. Certification is not a one-time process. Various aspects of a product, including raw materials, manufacturing processes, labeling, and more, require ongoing monitoring and testing to ensure continued safety and quality compliance. In addition to human health considerations, NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification also assesses the environmental impact of water treatment chemicals and systems. A joint committee comprised of public health experts, end users and industry members routinely monitored and update the standard.

Chemicals within the scope of this standard include:

  • Corrosion and scale inhibitors
  • Coagulants and flocculants
  • Disinfection and oxidation chemicals
  • Well-drilling aids
  • pH adjustment, softening, precipitation and sequestering chemicals
  • All other specialty chemicals used in drinking water treatment

What’s Important About NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 Certification?

NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification is crucial for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water and wastewater treatment chemicals and systems. Understanding these aspects of NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water treatment products and systems. Key points:

  1. Purpose: NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification evaluates the health effects of water treatment chemicals, including their potential to leach contaminants into drinking water.
  2. Standard Compliance: It ensures that these chemicals meet the safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
  3. Testing Criteria: The certification involves rigorous testing to assess factors such as potential health risks, chemical composition, corrosion potential, and overall performance.
  4. Regulatory Compliance: NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification is often required by regulatory bodies and government agencies for the approval of water treatment chemicals and systems.
  5. Consumer Confidence: Consumers can trust products with this certification to meet stringent safety and quality standards, providing peace of mind regarding the safety of their drinking water.
  6. Manufacturer Responsibility: Manufacturers of drinking water treatment chemicals and systems must adhere to the guidelines and requirements set forth by NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 to attain and maintain certification.
  7. Continuous Monitoring: Certification is not a one-time process; it requires ongoing monitoring and testing to ensure continued compliance with safety and quality standards.
  8. International Recognition: While primarily recognized in North America, NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification is also respected internationally, indicating a product’s adherence to high-quality standards.
  9. Comprehensive Evaluation: The certification process evaluates various aspects of a product, including raw materials, manufacturing processes, labeling, and more, to ensure comprehensive safety and quality assurance.
  10. Environmental Impact: In addition to human health considerations, NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 certification also assesses the environmental impact of drinking water treatment chemicals and systems.

ABOUT BRAINERD CHEMICAL COMPANY

Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent providers of chemicals and related services in the United States. As a manufacturer and hybrid distributor with a strategic network of facilities located in Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Delaware. Brainerd Chemical Companies’ dedicated team of engineers, chemists and skilled technicians are high-hazard chemistry specialists proudly leading the way in safe, responsible chemical manufacturing and supply. https://brainerdchemical.com

MEDIA INQUIRIES

1.918.622.1214@Brainerd Chemical Company

SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company