Jan. 4, 2010 -- Specialty chemicals group LANXESS has launched a new software version, Lewatit-CalculatION 5.0, to make designing a water treatment unit simpler as well as to optimize filter systems. The flexible yet straightforward program accelerates project costing and can even help existing plants cut their operating costs. As the software is available in several different languages, it is ideally suited to users across the globe. The software is available from LANXESS free of charge.
"It's important to stress that the software can be used for more than just designing new plants," says Björn Dinges from Technical Marketing Industrial Water Treatment in the ION business unit. "The system is so flexible that it can also carry out rigorous checks on existing filter systems." As a result, users can quickly and easily identify if wastewater can be saved -- and in what quantities -- and how operating costs can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to pinpoint any unused potential that could be tapped into by using new ion exchange resins, and when it is advisable to change the product.
Due to the high level of flexibility, the software is suitable for a very broad target group. "The software will not only benefit automotive and semiconductor manufacturers but also end users in the nuclear and power plant industry, the paper industry and the chemical sector, to name but a few. In particular, we are focusing on users in engineering firms, the equipment and plant construction sector and, of course, universities," adds Dinges.
Many industrial processes rely on clean, pure and ultrapure water. Therefore it is extremely important that the relevant treatment plants are designed correctly, but actually doing so is far from easy
As one of the team involved in developing the new system, Dinges explains: "The people responsible for planning and developing these plants generally display exceptional expertise when it comes to process engineering. Though they are less familiar with the chemical processes in the ion exchange resins that are, after all, the key process components involved. However, if these products are viewed as a 'black box' around which the filter system simply has to be built, it could lead to wasted potential." This is particularly true when it comes to a high level of performance, as exhibited by Lewatit ion exchange products from LANXESS, and to the increasing demands made of ultrapure and wastewater streams. Selecting an ion exchange resin to deal with a particular problem, optimizing regeneration sequences as well as undertaking realistic assessments of wastewater volumes and their composition can all make it easier to ensure proper compliance with legal requirements.
"This is where Lewatit-CalculatION 5.0 comes into play," continues Dinges. "The system helps to ensure the water treatment system is perfectly adapted to the relevant process requirements." It supports the user in carrying out detailed analyses of his actual requirements and suggests the type and volume of the ideal Lewatit ion exchange product depending on the needs of the specific customer. "We have been careful to make sure that the software is easy to use, yet also remains flexible. There is a practical set of process parameters and limits available to help the user become acquainted with the system. On the other hand, it can be used for the detailed planning of a wide range of chemical processes that can be adapted to the application in question using numerous variables."
Additional water chemistry calculation features make it possible to accurately assess the specific silica load, predict wastewater composition and determine optimal volume flows. A feature for configuring contact times and the consumption of chemicals for cost-optimized regeneration completes the program.
Further information about the software is available at www.lewatit.com.
The Ion Exchange Resins business unit belongs to the Performance Chemicals segment, which achieved total sales in fiscal 2008 of EUR 1,930 million.
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.58 billion in 2008 and currently 14,335 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 46 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. More information at www.lanxessgoesasia.com.
###
