Water Management at EMO on the Maasvlakte

EMO (Europees Massagoed Overslagbedrijf) operates a 160-hectare coal and iron ore storage facility on the Maasvlakte. With these materials continuously arriving at and leaving the site, a reliable water supply is essential. During dry periods, sufficient water must be available for dust suppression. Without it, vessels cannot be loaded or unloaded, directly affecting operations. Water is also required for other processes, including slurry preparation.

EMO faces seasonal challenges in managing its water supply. Shortages often occur in summer, requiring the company to purchase water at significant cost. In winter, there is a surplus, which sometimes has to be discharged into the port despite this being undesirable.

Iv has been asked to assess EMO’s entire water management system, identify bottlenecks and propose sustainable improvements. Our aim is to help EMO optimise its water management and identify solutions that improve both water quality and water availability. This challenge therefore aligns closely with our ‘water balance’ approach, which is specifically designed for applications of this kind.

For an effective water balance study, Iv maps all water flows using a water balance data model and a Process Flow Diagram (PFD). Together, these provide insight into the current situation and identify where bottlenecks occur. During this engineering phase, we assess the impact of potential solutions, such as increasing pipeline and/or pumping capacity, introducing new technologies for settling coal and ore particles, or expanding water storage capacity.

Our process engineers also explicitly account for future climate change in their analyses. By anticipating the predicted increase in peak rainfall and longer periods of drought, we ensure that the proposed solutions are not only suitable for current conditions but are also resilient to future climate conditions.

This project contributes to a more sustainable operating model for EMO through more efficient water use and reduced reliance on external water supplies. The proposed solutions will help ensure continuity of operations, even during dry summers when water is scarce. They will also reduce the costs associated with purchasing and discharging water, as well as pump wear caused by contaminated water. In this way, we are helping EMO achieve cost-effective, future-proof water management.