WAIV® Evaporation System

"The Vertical Evaporation Pond!"

NO SPRAY   -   NO MISTS   -   NO AEROSOLS   -   NO FUEL   -   NO BLOWERS   -   NO DRIFT

Sails

Wind-Aided Intensified eVaporation, or WAIV®, is a proven technology in the desalination industry developed for the evaporation of high TDS brine.  It has been adapted specifically for the evaporation of other industrial wastewaters.

The fundamental principle of WAIV® is to create a high density of wetted surface area within a very small footprint.  Wind naturally passing through the sails causes intensified and rapid evaporation of large amounts of liquid. 

BENEFITS & FEATURES

  • Large wetted surface area in a small footprint
  • Significant financial savings (25-50%)
  • Driving evaporative force is wind (not fuel)
  • Modular-installed in "units", each consisting of a small footprint (80' x 20’) and more than 62,000 sf (1.4 ac) of surface area/unit
  • Evaporates 2,000 to 5,000 gpd per unit
  • Effective for leachate, RO brine, oil and gas liquids, and many industrial wastewaters
  • Applicable in both humid and cold climates
  • Not dependent on off-site WWTP
  • Managing liquid waste with an on-site WAIV® system is a GREEN technology that reduces liability and lowers your carbon footprint!
  • Mobile pilot unit available! Check out the impressive results from earlier tests!

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

A WAIV® unit consists of a small framed structure with a large number of specialized sails designed specifically for this application. The wastewater is distributed across the top of each sail where three natural forces act on the liquid:

  1. Gravity naturally pulls the liquid downward onto the sails.
  2. Capillary action generated by the hydrophilic nature of the sail draws the liquid laterally and spreads it out across the large surface area.
  3. Wind (even at slow speeds) naturally passing through the gaps in the sails causes intensified and rapid evaporation of large amounts of liquid.

Watch our short demonstration video about the technology:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What types of wastewater can a WAIV® system process?

WAIV® systems can be used at a variety of facilities and projects, including:

  • Desalination concentrate
  • Coal ash ponds
  • Manufacturing wastewaters
  • Contaminated land and groundwater remediation projects
  • Dump sites
  • Landfills with municipal solid waste, construction & demolition waste, industrial mono-fill, ash, and hazardous waste.
  • Many other sites with contaminated waters or liquid waste

2. Can WAIV® operate in humid and cold climates?

Yes, WAIV® can operate in humid environments, such as those found in the Gulf Coast and Florida, and cold climates using special operating procedures.  The process is directly correlated with the pan evaporation rate, which measures a variety of parameters such as humidity, temperature, wind, solar radiation, and precipitation.  Limitations may apply in certain areas, but the structure and operation can also be modified to fit site-specific conditions.  For example in cold climates, piping and infrastructure can be kept safe while still allowing for effective evaporation when conditions are suitable.

3. What about areas with high rainfall?

Because the footprint of a WAIV® system is so small relative to traditional evaporation ponds, rainfall has little impact on the overall performance.  We calculate total rainfall within the footprint and deduct it in our calculations when predicting processing capacity.

4. Is mineralogical and biological fouling a concern?

WAIV® was developed for the desalination industry, which typically has very high TDS in reject water.  Routine inspections and maintenance are recommended, including periodic flushes of the system components.

5. How much liquid can a WAIV® system process?

Since it is modular, a system can be scaled up to desired volume.  One “unit” can process between 0.8 and 1.8 million gallons per year, or 2,000 to 5,000 gallons per day.

6. Is there potential drift?

There are no sprays, mists, or aerosols.  Droplet drift has been studied and found to be very limited and within the system's lined containment area. The containment is designed to incorporate potential drift distance, and safety factors can be added based on preference and site conditions.

7. What about permitting?

WAIV® is a fundamental concept with fewer risks than other technologies.  The systems can be constructed on a contained footprint, near the liquid waste source, and include sufficient soil and groundwater protection.  CCES can meet with your regulators to discuss the technology and any permitting requirements.

8. How do I know if WAIV® is a match for my facility?

CCES will complete an initial site data assessment that evaluates key parameters of the liquid waste and local climate.  We also have a mobile pilot system available to test at your facility.

9. What is the capital cost for such a system?

It depends on volume, local climate, and site conditions.  CCES offers several payment options, including LOW to NO-COST INSTALLATION for qualified sites.  Operation and maintenance responsibility can be lifted for the facility and covered by a low per gallon charge so that staff can focus on their other site operations and revenue-producing activities.  A very short ROI of 1 to 2.5 years is typical and millions of dollars are saved over the long term.