Leveraging Wastewater for Cooling: Reducing Freshwater Use in the Chemical Industry

Water is essential for chemical production, especially for cooling processes that regulate temperatures in manufacturing plants. With the chemical industry being one of the largest industrial consumers of water, finding sustainable solutions to minimize water usage has never been more critical.

The Role of Water in Cooling

Cooling is essential to maintain safe and efficient operations in chemical production. Water is often used in cooling towers, which work by circulating water to absorb heat and release it into the air. However, this process requires large amounts of clean water, and in many cases, freshwater is sourced from rivers, lakes, or public drinking water systems.

With water scarcity becoming a growing issue, reducing freshwater use in cooling processes has become a key area of focus. Innovative solutions show how it is possible to reduce environmental impact without compromising on efficiency.

Relief for the Rhine in Wesseling

At Evonik’s Wesseling site in Germany, two advanced cooling towers support silica production. Treated wastewater, used to rinse filter presses during silica production, is cooled before being discharged into the Rhine River. This cooling process ensures that the discharge temperature is significantly lower, benefiting the local river ecosystem. By managing wastewater temperature in this way, the Rhine is protected from thermal pollution, which can disrupt aquatic life and the overall health of the river.

As industries look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint, rethinking water use in processes like cooling offers a clear path forward.