Introducing a new technology for the treatment of process water, BMW Plant Steyr is dramatically decreasing its water consumption: Starting in 2006, Plant Steyr, the largest engine plant within the BMW Group building two out of every three BMW engines, will be saving approximately 30,000 cubic metres of water a year.
"Key components such as cylinder heads, crankcases, crankshafts or connecting rods are machined in different processes", states Günter Redtenbacher, the Manager responsible for Machining Operations at BMW Motoren GmbH. Cooling and lubricating emulsions as well as washing and rinsing water are essential for these operating processes. And despite permanent reconditioning, these fluids still have to be replaced from time to time even today.
"Introducing our new two-stage effluent reconditioning process, we are able to achieve a very high degree of purity and recycle water back into the production process", states Redtenbacher. The new concept is being introduced technologically in two stages: The first stage was completed recently, the second stage introducing the concept on a full-scale basis will be operative in 2006. This will allow efficient use of water as a valuable resource, with no more waste water being generated in this production process.
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