Mizu UF at CEMCOT Ranipet: Tannery Effluent Case

Introduction

The tannery industry is one of the most water-intensive industrial sectors, generating wastewater with high levels of turbidity, suspended solids, organic load, COD, BOD, and colloidal contaminants. Effective treatment of tannery effluent is essential to meet stringent environmental regulations, enable water reuse, and ensure sustainable plant operations.

At CEMCOT, Ranipet, a common effluent treatment facility serving tannery units, treated effluent required advanced filtration to ensure consistent quality and long-term operational reliability. To address these challenges, CEMCOT partnered with Theway Membranes to deploy Mizu Ultrafiltration (UF) Membranes. This case study highlights the robust performance and durability of Mizu UF membranes in a demanding tannery effluent application.

The Challenge

Tannery-treated water presents complex treatment challenges due to high solids loading, fluctuating water quality, and persistent organic contaminants. At CEMCOT, Ranipet, the following key challenges were observed:

• Very High Turbidity & Suspended Solids: Influent turbidity levels reached up to 100 NTU, with TSS concentrations up to 150 ppm, significantly increasing fouling risk.

• Colloidal Silica & Fine Particulates: Presence of colloidal matter posed challenges for consistent filtration performance.

• High Organic Load (BOD & COD): Residual organics increased membrane fouling and operational stress.

• Operational Stability: Continuous CETP operation required a highly durable membrane system.

• Cost & Maintenance Control: Long membrane life without frequent replacement was critical for economical operation.

The facility required a robust UF system capable of delivering stable, high-quality permeate under highly variable and harsh operating conditions.

The Solution: Mizu Ultrafiltration Membranes

After comprehensive technical evaluation, Mizu UF Membranes from Theway Membranes were selected for their proven capability to handle high-strength industrial effluent, particularly in tannery applications.

Key Features of Mizu UF Membranes

• Advanced Ultrafiltration Technology: Effective removal of suspended solids, colloidal silica, and organic contaminants.

• Consistent Permeate Quality: Produces low-turbidity, high-clarity water suitable for reuse or downstream treatment.

• High Fouling Resistance: Designed to withstand high solids loading and fluctuating feed conditions.

• Robust Membrane Construction: Ensures durability in harsh tannery wastewater environments.

• Low Maintenance Operation: Reduced cleaning frequency and stable long-term performance.

  
  

Deployment at Ramco Cements, Andhra Pradesh

The Mizu UF system was commissioned in 2022 as part of the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) at CEMCOT, Ranipet. The system treats tannery-treated water with a capacity of approximately 4 MLD, supporting reliable effluent polishing and reuse.

Key Deployment Details

• Location: CEMCOT, Ranipet

• Industry Segment: Tannery Industry

• Technology: Mizu – Ultrafiltration

• Source Water: Tannery Treated Water

• User Application: CETP / Tannery Effluent Treatment

• Capacity: ~4 MLD

• Commissioning: 2022

Results and Impact

Field validation of Mizu Ultrafiltration Membranes at CEMCOT, Ranipet demonstrated consistent performance and exceptional durability under challenging operating conditions.

Key Results Achieved

• Consistent Permeate Quality:

  • Turbidity: < 1 NTU

  • Suspended Solids: < 1 ppm

  • SDI: < 3Achieved consistently over 36 months, even with feed turbidity up to 100 NTU, TSS up to 150 ppm, and SDI < 6.

• Long-Term Operational Reliability:Mizu UF membranes have been operating continuously with no membrane replacement required as of August 2025.

• Improved Effluent Quality:High-quality UF permeate supported stable downstream treatment and reuse applications.

• Reduced Fouling & Maintenance:High resistance to fouling minimized cleaning cycles and ensured uninterrupted CETP operation.

• Cost Efficiency:Extended membrane life and reduced operational intervention delivered significant long-term O&M cost savings.

Conclusion

The successful deployment of Mizu Ultrafiltration Membranes at CEMCOT, Ranipet demonstrates Theway Membranes’ capability to deliver robust and reliable filtration solutions for highly challenging tannery effluent treatment applications. The system consistently handled high turbidity, suspended solids, and organic load while producing high-quality permeate over extended operation.

By adopting Mizu UF technology, CEMCOT achieved enhanced CETP performance, regulatory compliance, sustainable water management, and long-term cost efficiency. This case study reinforces the suitability of Mizu Ultrafiltration membranes for demanding tannery wastewater treatment environments.

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