The construction of the water plants, realised by Evides Industriewater for BASF Antwerp, is going as planned and is nearing completion. As such, the Evides construction team has successfully caught up with the initial backlog caused by last winter's poor weather conditions. The entire project will be finished according to schedule, long before the end of 2010.
Construction takes place on three fronts simultaneously: a process water treatment plant (PWTP) in Rilland, plus a 10,000 m3 process water reservoir (including pump units) and a demineralised water plant at the BASF site in Antwerp. Additionally, two connecting pipes with a length of two kilometres have been laid between the PWTP in Rilland and the BASF site. These pipes each have a diameter of 600 mm.
Process water treatment plant in Rilland:
The actual construction work is virtually completed, and the electric work is also in its final stages. At the moment, various tests are being carried out. The double-layer filters are currently being filled with filter material. Other activities include the finishing touches to the site and the erection of a permanent fence around the building. At the start of November, the pre-treatment plant will be ready to start producing process water from the river Maas and supplying it to BASF. This is in more than ample time before the actual effective date of the contract.
Process water reservoir on the BASF site
A concrete process water tank and pressurisation system have been installed on the BASF site. The reservoir has been covered, filled with water via the new connection pipes, and was subsequently tested. The pressurisation units and corresponding pipes are ready, insulated and traced. Apart from a couple of local finishing touches, this part of the project too has been tested and is ready for production well in advance of the completion date.
Demineralised water plant on the BASF site
The construction of the demineralised water plant is also on schedule. All major work has been finished, and all there is left to do are the finishing touches. At the moment, tests are being carried out (process automation and water tests). The resins are being loaded, after which the demineralised water lines can be worn in. Mid-November, the first line will be ready to actually supply demineralised water to BASF on spec. The second line will be ready to start supplying on spec at the end of November. The regeneration and neutralisation systems and the demineralised water reservoir and its pumps were tested in October. The demineralised water reservoir has been filled with demineralised water from the BASF network for testing purposes. The infrastructure, supply and discharge pipes on the side of BASF are also nearly ready, and will be tested and taken into use in the next few months.
Construction of process water pipes:
The construction of the cross-border pipes was completed some time ago. The pipes and shut-off valves have been tested and the system has been filled with water. The route has been finished, and one can hardly spot the signs of the digging that took place to enable the construction of these two important transport pipes.
These new water plants and corresponding infrastructure enable BASF to stop the use of drinking water (partially produced from groundwater of the Kalmhoutse Heide) for its production processes as from 1 January 2011. Instead, BASF will take in Dutch Maas water for the next 15 years, which will serve as sustainable raw material for the entire production process at BASF.
