We take a step-by-step look at our customer process in our five-part “On A Path to our Process” series. It starts with an introduction to the Desktop Assessment step, where we assess whether the EPSE™ Method is suitable for a specific case.
We have a problem
Industry and its many products are essential, and this is widely recognized. The energy revolution and the electrification of societies are driving mines to ramp up production. For decades, minerals have been extracted, and industrial products have been manufactured, but not all of this production withstands scrutiny. Waste and effluents contaminated with heavy metals are often discharged into communities, particularly in less affluent areas. Water has become a scarce resource in many regions, exacerbated by ongoing droughts and the impacts of climate change. Even wealthier regions are struggling with wastewater management as emission regulations tighten and resource recovery gains importance.
Luckily, we also have a solution
EPSE specializes in removing metals from wastewater, effectively eliminating up to 50 different metals in a single, straightforward treatment process. This brings much-needed simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility to water treatment without relying on complex chemical mixtures, temperature-sensitive processes, or costly, hard-to-maintain equipment – just the essentials. Our process not only outperforms competitors in producing high-quality outcomes – metal-free water and multi-metal precipitate – but is also economically viable. Competitiveness extends beyond the cost of our process alone; the cumulative savings are significant: streamlined processes reduce maintenance and equipment expenses, enhanced water quality enables recycling and reduces the need for raw water intake, and improved precipitate quality allows for safe disposal or even the recycling of metals for reuse as raw materials.
So, what’s a Desktop Assessment, again?
This takes us to the question: who is the method suitable for? In general, EPSE™ Method is suitable for any wastewater containing soluble metals. When we identify a site where the EPSE process could apply, we ask the customer for information about the wastewater, the process and, if applicable, the existing equipment, chemicals and other relevant information. This information is utilized in the process of Desktop Assessment, where our experts go through it and see whether there is prior information on similar cases and whether EPSE is the best application option for the wastewater in question. If Desktop Assessment shows that the site has potential for EPSE benefits, we agree with the customer about sending in samples and move on to the EPSE Lab PoC phase.
Would you like to know who is the ideal customer for EPSE? Download an info sheet here: Ideal Customer Profile.
This text was written by Anni Honkonen.