SEDL’s MVR-based ZLD system maximizes resource recovery from wastewater while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.
By Vimarsh Verma and Haresh Shandilya

Introduction: Turning Challenges into Sustainable Solutions

Across the world and especially in water-stressed regions like the Middle East, industries are facing a stark
reality. Water scarcity is deepening, while wastewater volumes are growing. Rivers are drying, groundwater
tables are depleting, and the cost of clean water is rising steadily.
In this context, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is no longer a regulatory checkbox it is an urgent necessity.
Industries today don’t just “want” ZLD they need it to survive, to sustain, and to stay future-ready. The
challenge? Traditional systems are energy-intensive, costly, and often incapable of handling complex effluents
efficiently.
At SEDL, we’ve addressed this challenge with a powerful yet elegant solution the MVR-based Low
Temperature Evaporation (LTE®) system. It transforms industrial effluent into high-purity water (<10 ppm
TDS) almost as clean as distilled water without steam, chemicals, or high maintenance. Water recovery is up
to 99%, making it one of the most efficient solutions available. But more importantly, it restores control,
efficiency, and sustainability back into the hands of industries.

What Makes LTE with MVR Different?

Low Temperature Evaporation (LTE®) is a vacuum-assisted process that allows water to evaporate at just 60-70°C. When paired with Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR), the vapor produced is reused to heat the system making it highly energy-efficient and completely steam-free.
This technology doesn’t just concentrate waste; it reclaims water, recovers valuable salts and chemicals, and helps industries drastically cut down operational expenses.

Why Industries Are Switching to SEDL MVR-LTE®

Here’s what makes this technology a preferred choice for sustainable ZLD:

• Ultra-Low OPEX – Consumes only 10 – 12 kWh/m³, with no chemical pretreatment required. Feed goes directly into the system.
• Low Temperature Operation – Reduces scaling, handles corrosive fluids easily, extends MOC life, and lowers power consumption.
• No Boilers, No Cooling Towers – A clean and compact system that simplifies plant design by eliminating bulky utilities, significantly reducing operational costs.
• Customizable Footprint – Can be designed in vertical or horizontal layouts to suit any industrial space.
• Fully Automated – Runs on PLC with remote access; needs minimal, unskilled manpower.
• More Than Water Recovery – Also recovers dyes, salts, acids, and valuable chemicals from effluents.
• Product Concentration – Can be used to concentrate liquid glucose, buttermilk, dyes, Glauber’s salt,and more.
• >99% Water Recovery – Achieves industry-leading water recovery efficiency, leaving virtually no liquid waste behind.
• Handles Highly Variable Effluents – Designed to treat fluctuating flow rates and complex compositions without compromising performance.
• Ready for a Solar Future – As solar and renewable electricity become more accessible, the system moves toward near-zero utility cost.
• Tolerates Extreme TDS Loads – Capable of handling wastewater with TDS levels exceeding 150,000 ppm with consistent reliability

Why Choose SEDL for ZLD?

At SEDL, we deliver ZLD systems engineered to operate using Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology. This innovative approach significantly reduces energy demands compared to traditional systems, making our solutions both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Here’s why industries rely on us:

• Tailored Solutions: We provide bespoke ZLD designs suited to your specific industrial needs, ensuring
  optimal performance and compliance.
• Proven Expertise: With decades of experience in water treatment technologies, we understand the
  complexities of wastewater management.
• Innovative Technology: Our solutions are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, such as evaporators, PTFFE (Plate Type Falling Film Evaporators), TTFFE (Tube Type Falling Film Evaporators), FCE (Forced
  Circulation Evaporators), and dryers, ensuring efficient water recovery with minimal power usage due to MVR.
• Sustainability Focus: We prioritize energy-efficient systems that reduce your operational costs while meeting environmental targets.
• End-to-End Support: We don’t just build and deliver we stay with you. Our clients get full-time support, complete with dedicated engineers and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) services, ensuring seamless
  operation and peace of mind.

Industries We Serve

Our systems are actively delivering ZLD and product recovery solutions in:

• Textile & Dyeing
• Distilleries (Spent Wash, Condensates)
• Pharmaceuticals & APIs
• Chemicals & Fertilizers
• Municipal & Landfill Leachate
• Food & Dairy (Buttermilk, Glucose)
• Electroplating, Pulp & Paper
• Product recovery streams (Salts, Acids, Dyes)
  We have 300+ installations across the globe and a presence in 45+ countries.

Conclusion: ZLD is No Longer an Option – It’s a Necessity

Today, ZLD is not just something you want its compulsory. Traditional methods are costly, complex, and no longer suitable for modern industrial needs. That’s where SEDL’s MVR-based LTE system steps in not just as a solution, but as a game-changer.
This is the only system that is truly sustainable and operates with zero carbon footprint. It enables the recovery of clean water, along with valuable chemicals, salts, and dyes, all at a minimal operational cost.
Since the system runs entirely on electricity, and with the rise of solar and other renewable energy sources,the operational cost is dropping every day. Soon, this solution will work at zero operational cost, making it the most responsible, efficient, and future-proof choice for wastewater management.