Beta’s breakthrough development of an automated water recovery system based on proprietary, acid-proof membranes provides picklers, galvanizers, and metal finishers with an unbeatable solution to contaminated rinse water.

Maintains excellent rinse water

Beta’s membrane-based system applies a combination of proprietary acid-resistant, high performance membranes and corrosion-proof components to filter metal salts and acid contaminants from rinse water. The removal of these salts minimizes the carryover of damaging contaminants.
When the recovered water is reused as an exit spray on the parts, the carryover contaminants are reduced by an additional 50%. Proper application of this process eliminates the need for future chemical treatment.

Operation

Our filter pump drives the contaminated rinse water through a 5 micron pre-filter to remove solid contaminants and some oils and organics. A pressure transmitter monitors the incoming fluid to protect the pump from running dry and to signal a filter change.
 

The solution exits the pre-filter and proceeds to the corrosion-resistant, high pressure diaphragm pump that provides the osmotic force for the process. The pump drives the pre-filtered rinse brine across the special, membranes at a high velocity. These membranes are designed to reject larger molecules, such as metal salts, while allowing smaller molecules, like water, to pass through. The high velocity of the solution keeps the membrane surface clear of solids and any concentration polarization that would slow the process.

The cleaned water and small salts passing through the membrane form the permeate stream which returns to the rinse tank. A small volume of water plus the large metal salts form the concentrate stream which returns to the process tank when the optimum concentration of salts is reached. The volume of the concentrate stream matches the process tank volume lost by evaporation and drag out.

Lowest Operating Cost

Beta’s rinse recovery system requires only 3 KW/hr of electricity to continuously process a typical rinse. The system requires no chemicals and costs less than 30% of the alternative technologies to own and operate. The system has a very small installed footprint and runs without an operator. Since it produces no increased disposal cost or environmental liability, this process is the least expensive and most sustainable process available. The system typically pays for itself within a few months.

For Galvanizers Only

Lowers zinc consumption

Most galvanizers try to maintain gross zinc usage between 4% and 5% per ton of steel galvanized. This zinc usage target includes the zinc on the product as well as dross formed in the kettle and zinc lost in the process. Industry studies show that highly contaminated rinse and flux tanks produce zinc consumption figures between 6% and 10%. A poor rinse practice results in: a) increased formation of dross, b) increased product kettle immersion time creating thicker coating, and c) greater zinc spatter and smoke. A clean rinse maintains a proper flux bath and minimizes the contamination of the kettle.

Improves product quality

Contaminated flux produces a dull finish, black spots, poor coverage, and increased rejects. A clean rinse protects the flux and kettle from iron contamination. The graph shows contamination levels resulting from different rinse practices. Beta’s Rinse Recovery Membrane System most effectively reduces the carryover of iron, thus eliminating spots on the surface of the parts.

Flux treatment and replacement is expensive and produces a hazardous waste. Galvanizers tend to delay cleaning or replacing a flux due to this high cost, further damaging product quality.