Project: Modular Wastewater Treatment Plant Installation
Industry: Automotive component manufacturing
System designed and supplied by: WMEC Limited

Context

PHINIA, a global leader in the production of fuel systems, including pumps and injectors for internal combustion engines, operates a busy manufacturing facility in Gillingham, Kent. As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental compliance and operational efficiency, PHINIA identified a critical need to replace its ageing underground wastewater treatment system.

Challenge

The existing pH treatment plant, which included underground tanks handling both general effluent and cyanide-contaminated waste, no longer met modern safety and environmental standards.

The project called for a phased, above-ground solution that would reduce operational risk, simplify maintenance, and ensure full compliance with discharge consent regulations.

Solution

WMEC Limited designed and delivered a two-stage modular wastewater treatment solution housed in two separate 20-foot containers:

Container 1 (Stage 1 – General Effluent Treatment)

Installed in early 2024, this unit processes waste from the main settlement tank and RO softener system. Key features include:

  • 6,000-litre pH control and mixing tanks

  • Duty/standby pumps and dosing systems for acid and caustic

  • Automated pH correction with real-time monitoring and feedback control

  • Integration with existing underground discharge infrastructure

Container 2 (Stage 2 – Cyanide Waste Treatment)

Scheduled for follow-up implementation in 2025, this container targets treatment of cyanide-laden effluent:

  • Inline oil adsorber and sodium hypochlorite dosing system

  • Secondary pH control to meet stringent discharge criteria

  • Redox monitoring and analyser for precise cyanide neutralisation

  • Final effluent return to container 1 for mixing and transfer

The full system is trace-heated and thermally managed for year-round operation, with a combined capacity of 30,000 litres/day.

Outcome

The modular design allows for rapid deployment and future expandability while minimising civil works.

The two-container system provides PHINIA with a fully compliant, efficient, and maintainable treatment facility tailored to its evolving production needs.

Customer Quote

WMEC’s modular container solution has been a game-changer for us. The staged approach meant we could maintain production throughout the upgrade while significantly enhancing our environmental performance. The level of technical expertise and customer support has been outstanding.
– Dave Mudge, Facilities Engineer, PHINIA Gillingham