The international mushroom processor, Champi’mer, aims to treat her cooling tower water in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. During a pilot with ACN Water Treatment and Van Remmen UV Technology the Advanox Cool technology proved to be the suitable choice, with impressive results.
Treatment of cooling tower water
Champi’mer is the global market leader in frozen mushrooms. Cooling tower water therefore plays a crucial role in their cooling process. To prevent the growth of algae, microfilm or bacteria such as legionella in the cooling systems, the cooling tower water has traditionally been treated with biocides. These may include chlorine-bromide solutions, isothiazolin or glutaraldehyde. While this method is effective, it is also costly, environmentally harmful and with the risk of producing harmful by-products. That is why Champi’mer is looking for an ecological and economical alternative to these traditional biocides.
Pilot
In March 2024, Champi’mer started a pilot in collaboration with ACN Water Treatment, using the innovative Advanox Cool water treatment system from Van Remmen. The Advanox Cool combines powerful UV-C light with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to oxidise organic substances and microorganisms in cooling tower water systems. This advanced oxidation results in low organic loads, ensuring high water quality and minimising biological contamination. The technology also prevents nutrients from remaining available for new microbial growth. Champi’mer explains ‘We are looking for an ecological and economical alternative to the traditional treatment of cooling tower water. Through ACN Water Treatment, a club we know well and trust, we were introduced to the Advanox concept. We believe in the oxidation process, which is why we were eager to take part in the pilot.’
Impressive results
After a year of testing, the results of Advanox Cool are impressive. The system significantly improved water quality across several key indicators:
- Anaerobic germ count (micro-organisms): reduced from >3000 CFU/ml to <1 CFU/ml
- COD value (Chemical Oxygen Demand): reduced from 40 mg/l to <10 mg/l
- TOC value (Total Organic Carbon): reduced from 26 mg C/l to <5 mg C/l
- Transmittance (T10): improved from 47% (surface water level) to 81.3% (drinking water level)
- Legionella: no presence detected throughout the entire test period
The Advanox Cool technology not only effectively reduced microbial growth, but also improved the overall water quality. As a result, installations and piping systems remain cleaner, with far less biofilm formation in the process.
Sustainable and economical
One of the major advantages of the Advanox Cool is its efficient performance. It achieved excellent results even with very low doses and hydrogen peroxide. ‘The combination of UV-C light and hydrogen peroxide makes it possible to effectively oxidise contaminations, while using far fewer chemicals’, the pilot report states. ‘This low-chemical approach keeps the cooling tower water quality well within acceptable limits ‘ Reducing chemical usage is both an economic and ecological benefit of this solution. Bert : ‘Now that we are using the Advanox Cool system, we are able to save over €15.000 per year on chemical costs. That means the investment of the Advanox Cool system is earned back quickly.’
