1. Core cost: Energy consumption (accounting for 50%-70%) This is the highest proportion in operating costs, mainly including electric energy and steam (for some models). The level of energy consumption is directly related to equipment type, processing capacity, and water quality.

Electric energy consumption: Mainstream low-temperature evaporators utilize electric energy as the core energy source. The energy consumption per ton of water for MVR (Mechanical Vapor Compression) type is typically 20-40 kWh, while for ordinary heat pump type it is 15-80 kWh (with higher energy consumption for high viscosity and high salt wastewater). If auxiliary equipment such as pretreatment agitators, vacuum systems, and condensate water pumps are equipped, an additional 5%-10% of electricity consumption is required. Electricity costs are calculated at industrial electricity prices of 0.6-1.2 yuan/kWh, making it the main source of energy costs.

Steam consumption (for some models): Multi-effect low-temperature evaporators or hybrid heat source models require additional steam, with a steam consumption of approximately 0.15-0.6 tons per ton of water. The steam cost is calculated at 200-300 yuan per ton. This is suitable for scenarios with self-owned steam sources (such as factory waste heat), which can significantly reduce this part of the cost.

Energy-saving optimization potential: By integrating waste heat recovery systems, utilizing photovoltaic power supply, or optimizing operational parameters (such as controlling vacuum degree and evaporation temperature), energy consumption can be reduced by 10%-30%, yielding significant long-term operational benefits.

II. Regular Costs: Consumable Replacement (10%-20% of the cost) Consumable wear and tear is strongly correlated with water quality characteristics and operating duration, necessitating regular replacement to ensure equipment efficiency. Core consumables include: Vulnerable parts: seals (sealing rings, gaskets), vacuum pump oil, and compressor lubricating oil. These are affected by high temperatures and corrosive wastewater and need to be replaced every 3-6 months. The cost of a single replacement ranges from hundreds to thousands of yuan (the more special the material, the higher the cost; for example, corrosion-resistant fluororubber seals are 2-3 times more expensive than ordinary rubber).

Consumables for filtration and pretreatment: To avoid equipment blockage, pre-filters, filter cartridges, and scale inhibitors are required. For wastewater with high suspended solids and high hardness, the frequency of filter cartridge replacement should be increased (1-2 times per month). The dosage of scale inhibitor per ton of water is approximately 0.5-2g, with a cost of 10-20 yuan per kilogram.

Material wear and tear compensation: When dealing with highly corrosive wastewater (containing chloride ions and strong acids), although the equipment body materials (titanium alloy, Hastelloy) are durable, they may experience slight corrosion over long-term operation. This should be factored into the annual maintenance costs, with regular inspections and repairs.

III. Fixed Costs: Labor and Operation and Maintenance (5%-15% of the total) Labor costs are relatively fixed, while operation and maintenance services are linked to equipment complexity and supplier services. Labor Costs: Continuously operating small and medium-sized equipment (1-30m³/d) requires 1-2 full-time operators responsible for startup and shutdown, parameter monitoring, and daily inspections, with a monthly salary calculated at 4,000-8,000 yuan. Highly automated MVR models can achieve unattended operation, requiring only regular inspections, and labor costs can be reduced by more than 50%.

Operation and maintenance services: If a supplier is entrusted to provide regular maintenance (such as semi-annual deep overhaul and compressor maintenance), the annual service fee is approximately 1%-3% of the equipment purchase price. If the equipment malfunctions (such as compressor failure or pipeline blockage), additional expenses will be incurred for on-site repairs and replacement of parts. The frequency of malfunctions is directly related to the adequacy of water quality pretreatment.

IV. Hidden Costs: Auxiliary Support and Compliance (5%-10% of the total) These costs are often overlooked, but their cumulative impact over the long term is significant. They primarily include: Auxiliary System Consumption: Circulating cooling water, cleaning agents (such as citric acid, scale removers), used for equipment cooling and regular cleaning of scaled components. The cost of auxiliary consumables per ton of water is approximately 1-3 yuan, with a cleaning frequency of 1-2 times per month (more frequent cleaning is required when scaling is severe).

Hazardous waste and environmental protection costs: outsourced disposal fees for concentrated liquid (hazardous waste disposal fee is approximately 2,000-5,000 yuan/ton, calculated based on the reduced volume), energy consumption for tail gas treatment, and water quality monitoring fees. If the concentrated liquid can be recycled as a resource (such as recovering heavy metals or organic solvents), it can offset some of these costs.

Downtime losses: Downtime caused by equipment malfunctions or maintenance affects the progress of wastewater treatment, potentially leading to environmental fines or production interruptions. High-quality equipment and standardized operation and maintenance can reduce the frequency of downtime (the annual downtime for MVR models is usually ≤100 hours).