Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management

Pre-Treatment

Flotation

Equalization

Neutralization

Coagulation and Precipitation

Sedimentation

Filtration Spill Basin

Introduction

Law of mass action

The mathematical product of the H+ and -OH ion concentration, expressed as moles/Litre is always equal to 10-14 .

Many wastes contain acidic or alkali materials that require to be neutralized prior to discharge to receiving water body or prior to chemical or biological treatment.
For biological treatment ,pH should be maintained between 6.5 to 8.5 to ensure optimum biological activity.

The CO2 produced during biological oxidation also provides a buffer capacity , which reacts with caustic and acidic materials

Introduction
Organic matter +O2 + bacterial cells CO2 + H2OHCO3 + +

+ HCO 3 CO3 + CO 3 + H2OHCO3 + OH

pH=8.9 pH=9

Neutralization

Process of adjusting the pH of water or wastewater through addition of an acid or a base, depending on the target pH and process requirements.

1. 2.

Water or wastewater is generally considered adequately neutralized if;

Its damage to metals, concrete , or other material is minimal. Its has little effect on fish and aquatic life.

3.

It has no effect on biological matter.

Neutralization

Alkalinity & Acidity Important source of alkalinity and acidity in natural waters is from the carbonate system
+ Water and wastewater pH controlling ions are HCO 3 , [ ], [CO 3 ],[ OH ]

1. 2.

It is determine by titration pH above 8.3 , two steps take place: pH shifted to 8.3 pH shifted to 4.5

Methods of Neutralization
1. 2. 3. 4.

Mixing acidic and alkaline waste streams Passing acid wastes through limestone beds Mixing acid wastes with lime slurry Adding the proper proportion of concentrated solutions of caustic soda (NaOH) or soda ash (Na2CO3) to acid wastes

5. 6.

Adding compressed CO2 to alkaline wastes Adding H2SO4 to alkaline wastes

Neutralization of Acidic wastewater

1.

Mixing acidic and alkaline waste streams This can be accomplished within a single plant operation or between neighboring industrial plants.

Acid and alkaline wastes may be produced individually within one plant and proper mixing of these wastes at appropriate times can accomplish neutralization

Neutralization of Acidic wastewater

1. 1.

Acid wastes neutralization through limestone beds Passing acidic wastewater through beds of limestone by pumping the waste through the bed depending on : Head available

2.

Cost involved for neutralization

Two systems involved: Up flow system Down flow system For down flow system the maximum hydraulic loading rate is 1 gal/min.ft2

1. 2.

Neutralization of Acidic wastewater

CaCO3 + H2SO4

CaSO4 + H2CO3

The above reaction will continue as long as: excess limestone is available (met by simply providing a sufficient quantity of limestone) in an active state( water should not contain lime stone coating substances such as sulphuric acid or metal salts or hydrochloric acid) pH is related to the bed depth.

1.

2.

Limestone Bed

Problem 1
1.

Acid wastes neutralization through limestone beds.

A wastewater flow of 100 gallons/min with 0.1N H2SO4 required neutralization prior to secondary treatment. This flow is to be neutralized to a pH of 7 using limestone bed(data given below). Designed a neutralization system specifying

(a) most economical bed depth of limestone (b) weight of acid per day to be neutralized (c) limestone requirements on an annual basis Depth (ft3) HLR ( gal/ft2.hr) 0.5 42 1 2 3 4 1600

180 850 1440

Problem 2
1.

Acid wastes neutralization through limestone beds.

A wastewater flow of 200 gallons/min with 0.2N HCL required neutralization prior to secondary treatment. Calculate

(a) weight of acid required on annual basis (b) limestone requirements on an annual basis

Neutralization of Acidic wastewater

2.

Mixing Acid wastes with Lime Slurries Depends on type of lime used. Magnesium fraction of lime is most reactive in strongly acidic solution and useful below pH 4.2.

Basicity factor

Neutralization can be done by using sodium hydroxide,

sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide.

Neutralization of Alkaline wastewater

1.

CO2 Treatment for Alkaline Waste streams Bottled CO2 is aplied to wastewater as compressed air is applied to activated sludge process.

It forms a weak acid (carbonic acid) when dissolved in water.

The cost may be prohibitive , when the quantity of alkaline waste is large

Neutralization of Alkaline wastewater

2.

H2SO4Treatment for Alkaline Waste streams

2NaOH + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + 2H2O

Costly but common method Storage and feeding equipment requirements are low as a result of its great acidity Difficult to handle because of its corrosiveness

Selection Criteria(Neutralizing agent)

1.

Reaction rate
Sludge production and disposal

2.

3.

Safety during handling and equipment

Side reaction including dissolved solids, scale formation and heat

4.

5.

Effect of overdosing

Multistage Neutralization

Problem

1.

100 gallons/min of wastewater is highly acidic and requires neutralization prior to secondary treatment. This flow is to be neutralized to a pH of 7 by lime. Titration are shown in figure from which a 2 stage neutralization system will be used with the total lime consumption of 2250 mg/l. The first stage requires 2000 mg/l and the second stage 250 mg/l. Determine the amount of lime required in lb/day. Also determine the size of neutralization tank. Assume detention time 5 min

(a) (b)