Case Study: Success at Water Reclamation Plant in Semiconductor Industry

INDUSTRY

Semiconductor – Microelectronics Water Reclamation

OPERATING CONDITIONS

Size: 1/2" to 8"
Temperature: 0ºF to 500ºF
Media: Acidic wastewater, alkaline wastewater, sulfuric wastewater, hydrofluoric wastewater, sodium hydroxide wastewater, hydrogen peroxide, spent acids, city potable water, spent ultrapure water, gaseous oxygen, deionized water
Pressure: 0 - 800 PSI

BACKGROUND

A major EPC consortium central to the water processing industry approached Garlock to design a sealing solution for their new water reclamation facility at a microelectronics plant. Semiconductor manufacturing creates a significant volume of water and chemical waste, and because these are zero-discharge operations, all water must be reclaimed efficiently and reliably. Given the diverse chemicals involved—from aggressive acids to ultrapure water—the customer required a single, high-performance sealing solution that could eliminate leaks while performing across varied applications and conditions.

CHALLENGES FACED

The customer’s new facility presented several critical challenges. The reclamation processes involved a wide range of chemicals, including acidic, alkaline, and sulfuric wastewater, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrofluoric acid, alongside ultrapure and potable water. Traditionally, multiple gasket types were required to handle such varied media, creating unnecessary complexity in gasket selection, maintenance, and inventory. Additionally, the facility utilized both metallic and non-metallic piping systems, which required gaskets capable of sealing reliably under low torque conditions. To ensure consistent performance, the EPC needed a fail-proof sealing solution that could operate across temperatures up to 500°F and pressures as high as 800 PSI.

SOLUTION AND BENEFITS

Garlock recommended the STRESS-SAVER® Style 3522, a gasket made from ultra-pure polymer designed for diverse water reclamation applications. Its resistance to permeation, bacterial growth, and contamination makes it ideal for ultrapure services while excelling in aggressive wastewater and chemical media. The STRESSSAVER’s reduced contact area design ensures low torque requirements, making it effective for both metallic and non-metallic piping systems, including PVC, FRP, and CPVC. With NSF 61 compliance, the gasket is also suitable for potable water lines, eliminating the need for multiple gasket types across the facility. Since installation, the facility has reported zero leaks, 100% uptime, and reduced maintenance frequency. The customer achieved a simplified gasket inventory, lower operational complexity, and long-term sealing reliability, validating the decision to trust Garlock for this critical water reclamation application.