Fluidized Bed Crystallization (FBC) Technology
Advanced crystallization technology for high-efficiency removal of inorganic contaminants with minimal sludge and maximum resource recovery.
Century Water’s Fluidized Bed Crystallization (FBC) technology is a next-generation alternative to conventional precipitation and clarifier systems. Designed for the removal of inorganic contaminants, heavy metals, nutrients (N/P), fluoride, and hardness, FBC provides superior performance with drastically lower sludge production.
The process uses silica sand as a carrier, promoting controlled crystal growth as targeted ions are removed from the wastewater and deposited onto the sand surface. Through carefully managed recirculation and chemical dosing, the fluidized bed maintains the ideal level of supersaturation for consistent crystal formation. Once grown to approximately 1–2 mm, crystals are discharged for collection, disposal, or reuse—turning waste streams into potential value streams.
FBC is widely deployed in semiconductor, industrial, and municipal facilities, where stable, high-recovery operation and reduced waste handling are essential.
Advantages of Fluidized Bed Crystallization (FBC) Technology
High-Efficiency Inorganic Removal
Effectively removes fluoride, heavy metals, hardness, phosphates, ammonium, and other inorganic ions from complex wastewater streams.
Up to 75% Reduction in Sludge Volume
Produces significantly less sludge than traditional precipitation or clarifier systems, lowering handling, disposal, and chemical costs.
Resource Recovery in Crystal Form
Contaminants are converted into stable, collectable crystals that may be reused or disposed of more sustainably.
Stable Operation Under Variable Loads
Controlled fluidization maintains consistent performance even when influent characteristics fluctuate.
Low Chemical Consumption
Optimized crystallization requires fewer reagents than conventional softening or metal precipitation processes.
Compact, High-Throughput Design
A fluidized bed reactor delivers high treatment capacity in a smaller footprint than comparable clarification systems.
Applications
- Fluoride-Containing Wastewater (e.g., semiconductor CMP and etching streams)
- Arsenic-Containing Wastewater
- Water Softening (hardness removal through crystallization)
- Phosphate / Ammonium Removal
- Heavy Metal Removal from industrial wastewater
Core Operations Benefits
- Lower capital cost as compared to conventional technology ~20%
- Lower cost of ownership due to reduction in chemical consumption ~14%
- Lower cost of ownership due to reduction in manpower to maintain system~30%
- Less frequency to clean pH, Fluoride and TSS sensors due todilution in CaCl2 dosing
- Lower cost of ownership due to reduction in sludge production ~30%
- Potential for increase in future waste water recycling at the FWTP discharge
- Smaller Footprint – Critical for Micron due to space constraint
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