ACIDIFICATION/DEGASIFICATION PROCESS OF WATER SYSTEMS IN PHARMA

• The process is well known and accepted in water purification systems. It is usually used where there is a high flow rate (>50 gpm or 0.18 m³/min) or high hardness (>50 ppm).
• The incoming water is acidified before the RO unit and a degasifier is used to remove residual CO₂ prior to moving on to a second pass RO or a mixed bed de-ionization (DI) unit.
• In this pretreatment process, the incoming water is adjusted to a pH in the range of 3.8-4.2 with sulfuric acid. The acidified water is sent to a packed column degasifier for removal of free CO₂ by air.
• Removal efficiency of CO­₂ is better than 98% (typical commercial degasifiers are designed to reduce outlet CO₂ to less than 5 ppm). This residual CO₂ should not pose a problem for downstream single and mixed bed de-ionization units or electro-deionization.
• The residual CO₂ also can be removed by addition of a base to increase the pH to 8.5 that converts it to CO₃ which is removed in the second stage of the RO.
• Commercial degasifiers are typically from 18 in. in diameter for 50 gpm to 72 in. diameter for 680 gpm (0.46 m for 0.18 m³/min to 1.83 m for 2.57 m³/min).
• Fan power requirements will range from 1/2 HP to 10 HP for the preceding sizes. Smaller and larger units are possible to meet exact needs. Standard packed tower design methods are used.
• The pH after removal of CO₂ will be in the range of 6.5-7.0. Just prior to feeding the RO unit, the pH should be adjusted to approximately 8.0-8.5 in order to minimize the amount of free CO₂ still remaining in the water and enhance removal of remaining carbonate in the second pass of the RO.
• The acidification/degasification process has some associated problems. Air borne bacteria, if a problem or concern, can be removed by a HEPA filter in the inlet-air line. The air also may oxidize any iron present to form solids.
• Water from the degasification column is usually collected in a holding tank. Further treatment in this tank is possible for TOC removal and microbial control.
• A multimedia filter usually follows the degasifier for removalof initial incoming solids and any solids generated in the degasification step. When using gasification as a “softening” process, addition of an anti-scaling agent is recommended just before the RO (if used as the first stage in the final treatment step).
• The anti-scaling agent will be removed along with minerals, high molecular weight organics, and endotoxins in the RO. Monitoring for removal of the anti-scaling agent by the RO is required.

Advantages:

• Replaces softener and the handling of large amounts of salt for softener regeneration.
• The CO₂ is released to the atmosphere rather than being purged as an ion in a waste steam.
• The added sulfate ion from acidification is easier to remove in RO than added sodium ion from softening.

Disadvantages:- Handling acid for acidification; instrumentation and chemical handling for two pH adjustments.