Basic Question
Groundwater quality
When, in the summer of 2006, investigation results became known to the effect that the ozonisation of water could give rise to the formation of an unwanted and possibly carcinogenic by-product, many people questioned the practice of ozonisation as a part of water treatment. The fact that the unwanted substance arose as a consequence of the oxi-dation of a metabolite of the active agent tolylfluanide that is disseminated into the environment as a "plant health" product was deliberately ignored.
Tolylfluanide is the main active agent of the plant health products Euparen and Folicur, which were used especially in fruit, berry and vegetable cultivation. For this reason, its approval is currently suspended until the end of 2007. The question arises as to whether this is a problem of water treatment with ozone, or whether it is more of a problem brought about by a lack of investigation in the course of approving plant health products.
The fact is that more and more harmful or undesirable chemical substances are being detected in the ground water. Not all of them mutate into harmful substances.
But the same applies to them all: They have no good reason to be in the groundwater. And this is why every sensible pre-cautionary measure should be taken to keep the groundwater clean.
The experiences with atrazine and nitrate were sufficient to show how difficult it is to eliminate substances from the aquatic system once they have been introduced into groundwater cycle.
The best option is therefore not to approve such substances in the first place.
Water treatment technology
Ozone essential for water treatment
xperts are aware that under certain conditions, ozonisation can also produce small quantities of unwanted reaction byproducts. The aim of all water treatment is of course to produce drinking water that is of the optimum quality for the consumer and to minimise the unwanted substances content.
Hydro-Elektrik GmbH, and indeed other plant constructors, regard the recently announced findings relating to the possible formation of the nitrosamine N-nitroso dimethylamine (NDMA) as a challenge to improve upon tried-and-tested treatment processes.
Compact drinking water plants (TWK) for water treatment with ozone Photo: Hydro-Elektrik GmbH
NDMA can be produced during the ozonisation of water con-taining N,N dimethylsulfamide (DMSA). DMSA is a metabolite of the active agent tolylfluanide that is produced with agents used to treat plants (fungicides). According to the assessment of the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), there are no long-term health risks associated with the consumption over a lifetime of drinking water con-taining maximum levels of 0.01 micrograms / l of NDMA and 1 microgram / l of DMSA.
Initial wide-ranging tests indicate that the newly defined maximum levels have only been exceeded in individual water treatment plants under very specific conditions, and that there is an absolute need for action.
Hydro-Elektrik GmbH points out that in the event of possible problem cases, there should be no hasty interventions in the process technology, because additional, previously unknown decom-position products can be produced if other oxidizing agents are used in the oxidation of DMSA.
Possible approaches for reducing the reaction byproducts exist, for example, in a reduction of the ozone dosage, the reaction time and in optimizing the downstream, biologically acting filter stage. In any case however, the experience of an experienced plant constructor should be incorporated into possible plant modifications.
Production location Tannheim
Plasma cutting system goes into operation
Production location Tannheim Photo: Hydro-Elektrik GmbH
In order to be able to supply more quickly, flexibly and econo-mically, Hydro-Elektrik GmbH took the decision to purchase a plasma cutting system for the new hall in Tannheim.
Transport cost savings are also expected, which will also make the system an ecologically sound investment.
The investment total is around 200,000 Euros.
New plasma cutting system Photo: Hydro-Elektrik GmbH
About us
Your way to us:
- Hydro-Elektrik GmbH in
Ravensburg
- RWT-GmbH in Gütersloh
Group of companies:
-Folder of Hydro-Elektrik GmbH
Group of companies:
The Hydro-Elektrik GmbH group of companies has experience over many decades in the fields of water treatment and water supply.
The Hydro-Elektrik GmbH company was founded in 1971 in the city of Ravensburg.
Co-founder Bruno Bachhofer and Andrea Strobel are CEOs.
Since 2001, the Gütersloh-based company Ravensberger Wasseraufbereitungstechnik (RWT) GmbH and since 2004, the Hydro-Elektrik AS in Norway have been independently-operated members of the Hydro-Elektrik GmbH group of companies.
Examples:
Certificate:
Since 2003 Hydro-Elektrik GmbH has been certified in accordance with
DIN EN ISO 9001:2000
Awards:
For developing a "specialised procedure for the economical on-site production of cylindrical, spiral-welded large capacity tanks made of stainless steel", Hydro-Elektrik GmbH has been awarded the special prize for innovation by the Finanzverbund der Volksbanken Raiffeisen on November 2003.
On May 2004 Hydro-Elektrik GmbH has been awarded with "WIR-Innovationspreis" 2003/2004.
© Hydro-Elektrik GmbH