Melhoria na qualidade da produção de água desmineralizada para uso em caldeiras

Abstract

There is high demand in the industrial sector for efficient steam generation systems, which require demineralized water that meets high-quality standards due to its direct impact on system performance. This study aimed to improve the quality of demineralized water production for boiler use in a sugarcane processing plant in northwest São Paulo. The PDCA methodology was employed to identify, analyze, and mitigate process issues and enhance performance. Initially, the overall compliance with demineralized water quality standards was 34%, mainly due to failures in resin regeneration processes, lack of operator training, and expired anionic resins. To address these issues, countermeasures were implemented, including updating the regeneration procedure, providing training and capacity building for the team, and replacing expired resins. As a result, the quality of demineralized water improved significantly, with overall compliance increasing to 68%, while deviations in pH, silica, hardness, and conductivity parameters were reduced. This study had a positive impact on the water demineralization process, demonstrating that the correct and structured application of quality tools can drive continuous improvements in various industrial processes.