MetClear™

MetClear™ is metals removal chemistry used to remove targeted metals from wastewater streams. These products significantly lower metal levels in discharge streams without any capital modifications of the existing wastewater treatment system, while reducing impact on the environment.

The environmental challenge

Industries that have targeted metals in their wastewater are extremely concerned about discharge of these metals to the environment via their wastewater stream and/or sludge. Advances in testing technology have paved the way for even more stringent environmental restrictions. For instance, targeted metal limits, which once were regulated in parts per million, may now be regulated in parts per billion or parts per trillion. With these new requirements, yesterday’s treatments are falling short, requiring industry to spend more money on advanced technologies to meet the more stringent permits.

Environmental impact

In order to address the problems of targeted metals in wastewater, GE introduced MetClear™ metals removal technology. The advanced formula precipitating agents in GE’s MetClear™ technology successfully remove targeted metals from discharge water. As a result, the effluent is of a quality which can directly discharged into the environment and in some cases, it may even be reused within the plant itself.

Operating Benefit

GE’s MetClear™ Products can be used to improve clarification and reduce metals content in wastewater streams. In one case, GE’s MetClear™ technology enabled the customer to reuse 100 percent of an electroplating wastewater stream, as well as to reuse the spent acid stream within their treatment process.

MetClear™ has been shown to reduce chromium concentrations in an equipment manufacturer’s wastewater by more than 90 percent, or down to less than two parts per million, the equivalent of one teaspoon in 650 gallons of water. Furthermore, MetClear™ has been shown to reduce nickel concentrations in equipment manufacturer's wastewater by more than 95 percent, or down to less than one part per million, the equivalent of one teaspoon in 1,300 gallons of water.

Cutting Costs

By using GE’s MetClear™ metals removal technology in wastewater treatment systems, operators can reduce the concentration of targeted metals by at least 90 percent or more. Without the cost, installation and maintenance of additional equipment the use of GE’s MetClear™ technology offers savings for the customer on multiple fronts and reduces make-up water cost when treated water is reused within the facility.

Unlike immobilized ligand technology, GE's MetClear™ metals removal technology does not require expensive equipment to operate. A typical customer treating 430,000 gallons of wastewater per day can avoid $15,000 in capital costs by using MetClear™ instead of immobilized ligands technology.