Equipment, Installation and Costs

Despite the advanced technology of the AQUATECH System, its installation is not complex. In fact, it is simpler and less costly than conventional electrolysis processing. AQUATECH Systems need only two electrodes for an entire 100-150 cell unit stack, avoiding complicated busbar arrangements. Furthermore, scale-up and installation of the unit are facilitated by the modular skid mounted cell stack design. 

Besides a DC power supply, the AQUATECH System is comprised of conventional pumps, storage and recycle tanks, heat exchanger and piping. The major instruments typically include a pH analyzer, conductivity meter and concentration monitor. 

Labor and operating costs are low. The system is highly automated allowing for minimal operator intervention. The two major operating costs are power and membrane maintenance. Allied-Signal s commitment and continued research and development of the AQUATECH membranes and stack design ensures longer lifetime on the membrane and even more power efficient units. Membrane replacements are facilitated by cell modules pre-assembled for easy installation. 

Typical economic estimated from the AQUATECH Systems plant for stainless steel waste acid are shown in Table 2. The payback for this environmentally sound process is -3.6 years. 

The titanium milling application would show a slightly better payback primarily due to high credits from the TiOg cake byproduct. 

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Equipment-price data concern the free-on-board (FOB) cost and the installed cost of the equipment. The installed cost of a drying system covers the cost of the purchased equipment, cost of equipment installation, and costs of piping, wiring, and instrumentation. These costs can be estimated on the basis of vendors data or, with less accuracy, on the basis of known costs for the equipment or system built previously, assuming a great degree of similarity. 

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