Industrial Water in the Automotive Industry

Purpose and goal

The goal of the project is to significantly reduce the freshwater consumption in the automotive industry. Recirculation of water can provide the industry with more sustainable and efficient processes meanwhile attacking an important issue regarding water scarcity. The project aims towards an optimization of water usage through a smart water treatment coupled with appropriate in-line water quality controls to minimize consumption of fresh water, chemicals, energy, and generation of waste.

Expected effects and result

Recirculation of water in the automotive industry to decrease the consumption of tap water, chemicals, energy and waste generation: -Process optimization from a water flow perspective -Sensors/prototypes tested and ready for adaptation. -Good knowledge in process fluids/ systems quality. -Guideline for water quality assurance. -A sustainability evaluation to promote the most suitable identified solutions. -Commercialization plan for the developed sensors and analysis systems tested.

Planned approach and implementation

During this project different water treatment technologies and analysis techniques will be evaluated to establish the different possibilities and procedures for water recirculation within the different processes involved in the metal manufacturing of automotive components. Process parameters as well as water quality will be determined to create an optimized used of water resources. A sustainability analysis and cost analysis will be also performed. Implementation of such techniques and procedures will be realized in a subsequent project.