Wastewater management
Through proper water management and recycling, RIKEN is committed to the efficient use of water, a resource which is vital to our research.
We properly manage our wastewater by setting up treatment facilities
Water recycling system which eliminates harmful substances from waste water
All of our sites have wastewater treatment facilities to treat laboratory discharge. Treatment varies according to the characteristics of the discharge at each site, using filters for harmful substances and contamination, as well as other means such as resolution, oxidization, coagulation sedimentation, activated sludge, sand filtration, sterilization and pH control. The quality of discharge is monitored and analyzed according to the specification and frequency set by national and local government regulations, in order to make sure the quality of water meets the standards.
■ Annual laboratory wastewater discharge
■ Water treatment process
at
Wako Institute
■ Recycled water use in Wako Institute
Water recycling system using reverse osmosis membrane
Wako Institute, where a large amount of water is used, recycles some of the discharge from its laboratories. After being treated for harmful substances and pollutants, the discharge is further treated with a reverse osmosis membrane. By this treatment, depending on the quality at the time of the discharge, the water quality becomes as good as or better than tap water, with stable characteristics.
This recycled water is used at the accelerator facility as cooling water. Cooling water at the accelerator facility needs to be of a high quality with a minimum of impurity in order to prevent degeneration of equipment. By combining several stages of treatment including the reverse osmosis membrane method, high quality recycled water is provided.