Frequently Asked Questions about Aquahive
We have compiled your most frequently asked questions about AQUAHIVE here. You will find our answers, and we remain available to provide further information if needed.
Technology and Capabilities
What types of effluents can AQUAHIVE treat?
AQUAHIVE treats a very wide range of industrial effluents containing: dissolved salts and chlorides, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu…), COD and BOD5, total phosphorus, total hydrocarbons (TCH), organo-aromatic compounds (PCBs, PAHs) and PFAS. It is also effective on organic nitrogenous matter (TNK) in many situations.
Caution: AQUAHIVE is not suitable for highly volatile compounds with high vapor pressures (certain light chlorinated solvents, nitrates/nitrites), which also pass through the membrane and end up in the distillate. Prior effluent analysis is always necessary to confirm compatibility.
What level of water purity does AQUAHIVE produce at the outlet?
Distilled water achieves a conductivity of 5 to 9 µS/cm in a single pass—close to, or even higher than, reverse osmosis water. For comparison: tap water: 200–600 µS/cm; industrial reverse osmosis water: 5–20 µS/cm. At the Ryssen Alcohols pilot plant: starting with phlegmasses of 129.5 µS/cm and 179 mg/L COD, the distilled water produced exhibited 5.4 µS/cm and COD < 20 mg/L—quality sufficient for direct reuse in steam generation circuits.
What effluent temperature is required for AQUAHIVE?
Maximum efficiency is achieved with an effluent at least 50 °C: it is at this temperature that the heat carried by the effluent itself is sufficient to power the membrane vaporization process, with an external energy consumption of only 1 kWh/m³ of treated effluent.
If your effluent temperature is below 50°C, AQUAHIVE can operate with an external heat source (hot water, low-pressure steam, electric heating elements). Consumption will then increase, and a feasibility analysis will determine whether the economic balance remains favorable.
What concentration level can AQUAHIVE achieve?
The standard container unit treats 3 m³/day of effluent and produces 2.4 m³/day of distillate – with a water recovery rate of 80% and a concentration factor of 5x for the concentrate. This concentrate (20% of the initial volume) is then directed to a final, very low-volume treatment line. Configurations with different recovery rates can be studied depending on the nature of the effluent.
Can AQUAHIVE treat several different types of effluent without modifying the installation?
Yes. AQUAHIVE can treat various effluent sources—process water, wash water, and contaminated rainwater collected on-site—without changing the membrane or configuration, within the limits of the initial compatibility assessment. This versatility is particularly valuable for sites that generate multiple effluent streams of different types.
Integration and Installation
How does AQUAHIVE physically integrate into my factory?
AQUAHIVE is delivered in a standard containerized unit (15 m²) comprising the 6 membrane modules, the circulation pump, the heat exchangers, and the control panel. The container connects to the wastewater network, the heat source (hot water or steam piping), and the cooling network. It can be positioned outside the building, in a technical area, or under a canopy. Higher capacities (> 3 m³/day) are achieved by connecting multiple units.
Is pre-treatment of the effluent necessary before AQUAHIVE?
In the vast majority of cases, no. This is one of the major advantages of AQUAHIVE compared to reverse osmosis, which requires complex pretreatments to protect the pressurized membranes. AQUAHIVE membranes operate at atmospheric pressure and are relatively insensitive to clogging. Simple coarse screening is sufficient in most configurations. If the effluent contains a significant amount of floating oils, a pre-separator of oils may be recommended.
Can the water produced by AQUAHIVE be reused directly without authorization?
Internal closed-loop reuse (cooling circuits, steam utilities, non-food cleaning processes) generally does not require specific administrative authorization, as the water remains on site. If the water is intended for discharge into the natural environment or for food-related uses, analyses compliant with applicable standards and a discharge permit will be required (DREAL, Water Agency).
Can AQUAHIVE be coupled with a final treatment step of the concentrate?
Yes, and this is the logical configuration for achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). AQUAHIVE reduces the volume of concentrate to be treated to 20% of the initial volume, with a concentration factor of 5x. This concentrate can then be directed to a forced evaporator or crystallizer, an incineration plant (reduced volume = reduced cost), a drying system, or a hazardous waste stream. The volume reduction provided by AQUAHIVE makes final treatment steps economically viable that would have been prohibitively expensive with the raw effluent.
Maintenance & lifespan
What maintenance is required for AQUAHIVE?
Maintenance is simplified for two structural reasons. First, operating at atmospheric pressure eliminates the mechanical stresses on the membranes and seals that generate the majority of interventions in reverse osmosis systems. Second, the membranes are made of standard, inexpensive polymer materials that are easily replaceable without specialized skills. There are no anti-scaling chemicals or biocides to continuously dose, and no pre-filter cartridges to change frequently. Periodic membrane rinsing and an annual module inspection are the main maintenance tasks to schedule.
Regulations and Funding
Can AQUAHIVE help us comply with the new PFAS regulations?
Yes. PFAS are subject to increasingly strict European regulations. AQUAHIVE is effective at concentrating PFAS in the concentrate (20% of the volume), producing distilled water containing little to no PFAS. Industrial companies subject to these new requirements find in AQUAHIVE an operationally simple and economically viable tool for reducing discharges.
What funding is available for an AQUAHIVE project?
Several funding mechanisms are available: Water Agencies finance projects to reduce pollutant discharges and reuse industrial water (subsidies can reach 30–50% depending on the agency and river basin). Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) can be used for energy savings. ADEME's calls for projects (decarbonized industry, water conservation) finance initial industrial installations. Our team assists you in identifying and preparing the necessary applications.