A two-day technical seminar for supervisors and engineers on water chemistry for demineralisation plants. Topics include chemistry of acids and solutions, organic matter and its removal, silica and carbonic acid issues, measurement and troubleshooting.
Task:
To evaluate specific scavenger resins for PFAS removal, a pilot plant was required—with complex series interconnection and solids management.
Solution:
On-site trials with a flexibly deployable rental pilot plant from MionTec. The configuration enabled fluidized-bed operation and solids separation between stages.
Result/Benefit:
The piloting delivered reliable data under real-world conditions and helped to specifically validate the subsequent full-scale plant concept.
Challenge:
A research facility in Norway required a highly automated laboratory system for ion exchange processes – with flexibly adjustable process conditions.
Solution:
Following tests with a rental system, MionTec designed a laboratory system with three columns at 1-liter scale. Co-current and counter-current processes are possible in various operating modes – including comprehensive measurement technology.
Result/Benefit:
The system enables automated, reproducible tests with high reliability – an ideal foundation for further pilot-scale studies.
Task:
A fermented process solution contained organic salts as by-products that hindered further processing.
Solution:
A two-stage ion exchange process was developed: first, the removal of hardness minerals, then the conversion of the salts into organic acids.
Result/Benefit:
The purified broth can now be further processed economically – the material stream was upgraded and disruptive by-products were specifically eliminated.
Objective:
A direct performance comparison of various ion exchange resins was intended to show whether alternative manufacturers can keep pace with established brands—without quality risks.
Solution:
The resins were tested under identical conditions in a realistic series configuration and analyzed for various performance parameters.
Result/Benefit:
The tests revealed clear differences in performance and stability. MionTec was then able to provide well-founded recommendations for practical use in deionized water (DI) systems.
Task:
On eight existing demineralization lines, continuous optimization of regenerant consumption was to be implemented – instead of sporadic readjustments.
Solution:
MionTec gradually installed the MiVision.SensIQ system in multiple generations. Specific metrological challenges were resolved, and the software was continuously developed.
Result/Benefit:
Regenerant quantities could initially be optimized manually and later semi-automatically. Result: Savings of over 45% while maintaining consistent water quality.
Challenge:
In the condensate system of a dairy, the organic content needed to be measured quickly and with high resolution. The existing instrumentation was too slow and too imprecise, leading to unnecessary waste, cleaning effort, and costs.
Solution:
MionTec developed a proprietary measurement method that surpassed conventional online instruments in both measurement speed and sensitivity. Erroneous measurements typical of standard delta-conductivity TOC systems were systematically eliminated.
Result/Benefit:
A patent-pending, universally applicable TOC analyzer was created. Initial field tests are already underway at the customer site – with measurements up to 15 times faster and sensitivity more than 100 times better than previous solutions.
Task:
The entire deionized water production facility was to be redesigned over a period of up to 10 years, under constrained structural conditions and with the demolition of an existing building.
Solution:
MionTec facilitated a three-day workshop with all stakeholders to generate ideas, developed several solution scenarios, and translated them into a detailed basic engineering package including mass balances, cost comparisons, and automation concepts.
Result/benefit:
The deliverable is used as a technical appendix for the tender. The project was implemented in close coordination with SWM’s project management—providing a clear, robust concept for the coming years.