Process Description
Local water authorities require industrial wastewater discharge neutralization to protect the ecological systems in the surrounding lakes, rivers, and oceans or to protect the local sewer networks and treatment plant.
The use of acidic and caustic chemicals to neutralize the discharge is widely used because they are effective and inexpensive. The neutralization process can be complex and is different for each industrial location. A good understanding of the wastewater chemical make up, buffering capacity (alkalinity), flow rate, and sewer discharge requirements (pH, suspended solids, dissolved solids etc.) is critical in selecting the proper chemical neutralization treatment program.
It is most effective to perform the neutralization process in a tank rather than in a pipe to the final process or discharge.
The neutralization tank construction should include a pH sensor, mounted in a position that allows easy removal of the sensor for periodic maintenance and calibration, a mixing motor, and chemical injection pumps located opposite of the pH sensor.
Sensors that measure pH are crucial in the neutralization process, however, all pH sensors are not the same. Many neutralization processes contain materials or chemicals that can cause premature senor failure by contamination of the internal reference solution. In these cases, a more rugged sensor such as one with a differential reference, will extend the life of the sensor.
Measurements in waste water treatment:
Flow:
-
Track the amount of process effluent water being treated
-
Record the amount of process waste water being discharged to the sewer
pH:
-
Adjust and control pH levels in the neutralization tanks as well as throughout the process
-
Monitor and adjust the pH levels being discharged into the sewer system
ORP: Monitor the disinfectant ability of the chlorine injection.
Conductivity: May be used to monitor and adjust conductivity levels being discharged to the sewer to prevent high salt pollution.
Turbidity:
A Turbidimeter detects the presence of un-dissolved matter and suspended solids in water. These impurities make water opaque to light. These same impurities can also provide food and shelter for algae and pathogens. When sheltered, pathogens are less apt to be exposed to disinfectant and with an abundant food source, the pathogens are free to grow and flourish inside a water distribution system. |
