New process for treating the residue from MVR concentration of pharmaceutical wastewater

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Pharmaceutical companies generate large amounts of high-concentration organic wastewater with complex components during the production process. Due to the strong inhibitory effect of organic solvents and antibiotics in wastewater on microorganisms, it is difficult to achieve stable discharge that meets regulatory standards through conventional biological treatment. Today, I’d like to share a case study where the proposed solution not only achieved good results but could also be applied to similar solutions in other industries. Currently, the treatment processes for high-concentration wastewater mostly involve using MVR equipment to concentrate the liquid, followed by centrifugation for solid-liquid separation; the saturated brine is then sent back to the MVR unit for repeated distillation. This process faces challenges such as severe scaling in the MVR heat exchanger, a continuous decline in processing capacity, and high costs associated with frequent maintenance. This project was developed to address this issue; during the initial stage of development, research on a low-temperature crystallization system was carried out with a processing capacity of 20 tons per day. The successful development of this project resolved the issue related to the 20 tons per day of MVR-concentrated mother liquor in the company in question; it reduced the concentration load on the MVR unit as well as the frequency of maintenance required. The moisture content of the wastewater after concentration was around 5-10%, resulting in cost savings of 1,200–1,500 yuan per ton of water processed. It has made certain contributions to helping enterprises save energy and reduce consumption, as well as to protecting the environment. Since the completion of this R&D project, it has been adopted by over 20 companies in the same industry or among similar clients. The treatment volume of high-concentration wastewater exceeds 200 tons per day on average, with a savings of 1,000 yuan per ton, resulting in daily savings of 200,000 yuan for customers. It contributes to the broader trends of energy conservation, low carbon emissions, and cost reduction.