Real-time online measurement of individual water quality parameters is emerging as rapidly as the AI that enables it - facilitating the transition from either blurry feed water analytics (e.g., conductivity, pH, temperature, ORP) to high resolution and high accuracy, timely insights into critical parameters for water treatment performance. Conventional laboratory-based analytical methods are insufficient to provide timely insights into off-specification water conditions and to prevent downstream process derailment. Transitioning from bulk parameters analysis (i.e., conductivity) to individual analytes is now possible in real-time, and the value to the semiconductor industry in achieving higher circularity and water autonomy through managing water quality proactively is priceless.
At the same time, management of high-salinity residuals streams from the production of ultrapure water remains complex, and real-time monitoring of brine water quality can aid in increasing water recycling and recovery in the semiconductor industry. Having online access to critical water parameters that contribute to scaling (e.g., sulfate, silica) is one key to unlock proactive management of treatment steps, whether to mitigate negative impacts to downstream brine minimization (e.g., energy costs) or improve zero-liquid discharge process performance.
Sustainable smart manufacturing requires best-in-class technology and data to improve operational efficiencies and increase water circularity while maintaining performance. Real-time Augmented In-situ Raman Spectroscopy (AISRAS) – Watergenic's patented sensor technology, combines cutting edge hardware with AI/ML-driven software to deliver real-time water quality of key parameters (sulfate, nitrate, silicate) and provide a comprehensive and cost-efficient in-line assessment of water quality.
The real-time approach identified sulfate fluctuations that would otherwise be invisible to the low-frequency lab measurements. Due to this, critical sulfate levels could be identified almost in real time. Sulfate buildup can lead to CaSO4 scaling on the RO-membranes and as such dramatically decrease the lifetime and increase the operating cost of any reverse osmosis operation. Decreasing uncertainty in the water matrix allows operators to capitalize on precise, proactive management of water and residuals treatment to improve chemical dosing, schedule critical maintenance (CIPs, etc.) and improve recovery of water for beneficial reuse.
