Synthesis of an optimal wastewater reuse network

Process and manufacturing plants usually consume huge amounts of water in various cleaning and rinsing operations. Wastewater contains pollutants that are frequently environmentally regulated. An effective way to minimize wastewater is to design a wastewater reuse network (WWRN) such that the used water can be reused to a maximum extent in the same plant. In this paper, a mathematical approach is introduced to design an optimal network when multiple pollutants are contained in water streams. The approach is general, systematic, and easy to use. Its applicability is demonstrated by designing WWRNʹs for both papermaking and electroplating processes.