Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Piping and valves (within plants and for municipal infrastructure)
• Engineering irms
• Outsourcing
• Consultants
• Allied segments such as water rights acquisition, and water supply development
This second list deines business segments in which vendor companies compete. Some
water business companies are found strictly in one area, while in other instances larger
companies have interests in two or more of these categories.
13.2 Global Water Market
At past Water Executive Forums, B. Malarkey [2] and C. Gordon [3] have reported on mar-
ket studies that place the global market in the $425 billion to $450 billion neighborhood.
More recent research from Global Water Intelligence [4] shows continued growth in the
business, and places the overall water global water market at $556.8 billion for water utili-
ties and industrial markets (excluding industrial construction). The world market is pro-
jected to reach $642.1 billion in 2018, according to Global Water Intelligence. The industrial
water business (including capital and operating expenditures) was $52.8 billion in 2013.
13.2.1 Sectors
Globally and domestically, municipal water is the largest market. Other major business
segments include equipment and services; engineering, procurement, and construction;
pumps and valves; infrastructure; chemicals; and analytics. Of those categories, infra-
structure should show future growth because of efforts by water and wastewater utilities
to replace aging piping systems. Within these sectors involving water treatment, nano-
technology should ind more use as this segment matures and inds greater acceptance.
Through the rest of this chapter, we will examine water treatment in these areas: power
generation, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and desalination. Then, the chapter will
conclude with a brief look at nanotechnology.
13.3 Power Industry
Electricity powers our modern world—whether it is our homes, workplaces, or the cities
and towns we live in. Moreover, water plays a key role in nearly all forms of power gen-
eration—hydroelectric, cogeneration, geothermal, fossil-fuel plants, and nuclear stations.
Treated water is even important in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels used in solar
power. Furthermore, for all but hydroelectric facilities, it is necessary to treat nearly all the
water used in power generation.
In this section of our chapter, we will examine aspects of water treatment associated
with electric power generation.
