Ultra-Pure Water for Major Food Company

Hydroflux has been engaged to provide a process for producing ultra-pure water for a large-scale dairy in New Zealand. This high purity water will be used in the production of drinks, yogurt, and cheese. The aim is to replace an aging ion exchange demineralisation system with a more efficient and sustainable solution.

During the initial engagement, Hydroflux worked closely with the client to develop the optimal technical solution which involved a thorough review of conventional cation/anion/mixed bed ion exchange and reverse osmosis/electrode ionisation technologies to determine the best approach. After careful evaluation, the membrane-based solution was chosen as it offered a more sustainable option, eliminating the need for caustic and mineral acid regeneration.

Hydroflux’s proposed membrane solution incorporates several key technologies, including media filtration, reverse osmosis, and electrode ionisation. The equipment is designed to produce two different grades of process water being 35 m3 of ultrapure EDI dilute water per day for cheese production, along with an additional 185 m3 of demineralized RO permeate for other applications within the factory.

“The project has been a great team effort, with process design led by Caitlin Brown and Andrew Devlin, supported by the Hydroflux Membrane Group. The container is currently en route to New Zealand, and our local team is preparing for site installation and commissioning,” stated Ivano Simonetto, Hydroflux project manager.

All equipment is housed within a plug-and-play 40-foot shipping container, simplifying the overall project execution. The entire process is controlled by a PLC and HMI, with remote access provided through HyConnect.

About Hydroflux

The Hydroflux Group aims to deliver the highest level of engineering and scientific know-how to the emerging issues of sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental protection with a specific focus on water and wastewater.

As part of its vision and mission, Hydroflux has always taken its climate responsibility seriously. In 2022, Hydroflux became Australia’s first water treatment and technology company to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification for its organisation and products. It knows that partnering with customers and clients is the most significant impact it can have in its journey.

The Group employs over 100 staff and operates throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with office locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Suva and Portsmouth.