Contents
Water in Industry
Water plays an essential role in many industrial processes, from cooling to cleaning and more.
Have you ever thought about how much water is used, or polluted, in the production of common foods and products such as coffee, tea, rice, bread and chocolate? If you are wondering how much water is needed to produce one average cup of coffee, which you are drinking as you view this article, read on.
Have you ever wondered how many liters of water are used or polluted when common foods, beverages and other products such as coffee, tea, beer, rice, bread or chocolate are produced? Water is a major ingredient in the production of almost every type of beverage and, of course, food. You may not know, industries that use water include not only the food industry, but water is also used for the textile industry.
Water in the production process
It is not just the water itself that is needed to produce the product, but the total the amount of waterwhich is consumed or polluted at all stages of the production process. An example is jeans, where a large amount of water is used in the actual growing of the cotton, the subsequent weaving, the processing of the fabric, etc. Or let’s mention the automotive industry, which forms a large part of the economy. The production of one car alone consumes up to 9 full vans. The biggest 3 car companies such as Volkswagen, Peugeot, KIA can waste almost 2 billion liters of water in 1 year. But today’s car companies are starting to think green and build their own water treatment plants.
Water and the production of popular beverages
On average, it takes 8,860 litres of water to produce 1kg of black tea, which is commonly bought in shops. This means that for a standard cup of tea (about 250 ml of water + 3g of tea), this is about 120 large glasses of water. The biggest “item” in terms of drinks is coffee. Compared to beer, almost four times more water is used in the production of coffee.
Water and pasta production
It is interesting that the production of 1 kg of potatoes uses about 290 litres of water, but if we take into account potato chips, at 1 kg, that’s up to 1040 litres of water. But it’s still less than 1 kg of husked rice (almost 2,500 litres of water). The water consumption for the production of one kg of wheat pasta is also high, with 80% of the water used in growing the wheat. The total water consumption is therefore influenced by the origin of the wheat and the way it is grown (pasta made from Italian wheat (e.g. fusilli, linguine, penne, spaghetti = 1 410l/kg, pasta made from wheat grown in France = 590l/kg) .
Other foodstuffs
The origin and method of cultivation of the cocoa bean is also important in chocolate production. The production of meat is no different, On average, more than 15,000 litres of water are used to produce 1 kg of beef. However, the exact figure depends on the production system, composition and origin of the cattle feed. Substantially Less water is used in the production of fruit and vegetables. For example, an average of 790 litres of water is used to produce 1 kg of bananas worldwide (in India, the country with the highest production of this fruit, it is only 500 litres/kg).
Based on this data, we can have some idea of how the production of each product is affecting the growing concern about drinking water scarcity and water quality deterioration. Clearly, after reading this article, we will not stop eating rice or wearing jeans just because a large amount of water is used in their production. But at the very least, it will make us think about it, what it takes to produce some foods and how important it is to keep water sources clean.
What is the importance of water in industry?
Water is an essential resource for industrial processes. It is used to cool equipment, create steam, transport chemicals, and in many other ways. Industrial water use has a significant impact on the environment, and it is important to manage water resources responsibly.
Industrial water use can create a number of environmental impacts, such as water pollution, air pollution, and energy use. It is important to understand the impacts of industrial water use and take steps to reduce them.
Advantages of Water in Industry
- Cost effective
- Easily available
- Non-toxic and non-flammable
- Excellent solvent
- Heat transfer medium
- Aids in cooling
- Cleansing agent
Are you looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to ensure clean water in your industry? With our expertise and experience, we can guarantee that your water needs will be met with the highest quality and efficiency.