Wastewater Treatment Chemistry

Companies must develop a system of wastewater treatment chemistry cleaning solutions that are tailored to specific needs of their metal finishing processes. Hiring a team of experts in wastewater treatment chemistry and equipment is a good idea. A company can develop processes that are specific to its needs while ensuring compliance with government agencies like the EPA. Before exploring cleaning products designed for metal finishing wastewater, here is a brief look at the basics of the chemical processes used in cleaning,

There are several types of chemical processes used to clean wastewater. These processes include coagulating chemicals, precipitation, oxidation, ion exchanges, and stabilization. For metal finishing wastewater treatment, it is especially important to use environmentally safe processes and products.

Chemical Cleaning Processes Explained

Coagulating chemicals quickly destabilize wastewater contaminants after they are disbursed in a flash-mixing process. The chemicals are then neutralized using the electric charges in the water. The negative charges keep them from settling by forming larger groups. The trapped groups of contaminants are then mixed during the flocculation stage which brings the coagulants into contact and lets them settle into a mixing basin at varying speeds in different compartments.

Another process is the chemical precipitation process. Precipitation is the most common way of removing dissolved metal particles from wastewater especially water filled with toxic metals. Precipitation regents are added to create a reaction that makes the dissolved metal particles form into solids. These are then filtered out. This process can be complex if there are different metals mixed together in the wastewater.

With oxidation electrons are moved with the help of the oxidizing agent through the water. When they meet with the contaminants in the water they are transformed and become less harmful. An advanced form of oxidation, or AOP as it is sometimes referred to as, helps to keep organic compounds that form during this process out by the use of air stripping or steam stripping procedures.

Ion exchanges are a cleaning method that work to soften the wastewater. Hard water can be difficult to clean, so the first step is to soften any hard wastewater using calcium or magnesium. These work to soften the water by introducing an exchange process that creates free sodium ions into the water which in turn complete the softening of it so that the cleaning can be completed.

Stabilization is similar to oxidation. An oxidant like chlorine is introduced to sludge. The biological growth in the sludge is then slowed down and the clean water can be removed.

Of all of the above types of chemical processes, it is vital to select the one or ones that work best for the metals utilized in finishing. Ideally, select the process that efficiently cleans wastewater while being cost-effective for the company itself.

Systems And Products That Work To Clean Metal Finishing Wastewater

Now, here is a look at the most effective systems and products to use for metal finishing wastewater cleaning processes. Be sure to obtain processes from firms that have ISO 9000 certification so there is complete assurance of compliance requirements being met.

The following suggestions include systems and products available from A Brite Company, one of the leading wastewater treatment companies in the metal finishing field. A Brite holds the ISO 9000 certification, too.

Universal batch treatment systems are ideal for the heaviest metal contaminants. These systems make use of the precipitation process of chemical cleaning. Flow through systems work to continuously treat wastewater. Control panels keep industrial waste from being discharged accidentally. There are other systems like filter presses and dissolved air filtration units to consider when developing a specific system for a company’s metal finishing wastewater cleaning needs.

Products that are used to treat watewater include concentrated liquids that will defoam streams of wastewater. These concentrates are very effective at anodizing sealers or treating plate baths and screen rooms. They do not contain petroleum products either so they are environmentally sound.

A Brite’s WTC 104 produces a rapid settling floc, with less sludge than inorganic matter like ferrous sulfate. This product assists anionic polymers in flocculation with heavy metals. Highly chelated waste streams are handled best with a concentrated liquid material only available from A Brite. The concentrates make for rapid setting floc with a reduction in sludge.

The concentrates are a combination of divalent metals and coagulants that work to break heavy metals down in metal finishing wastewater. They are also effective at handling oil emulsion from alkaline streams.
The most highly concentrated liquid for heavy metals and their precipitates is Dropout. Dropout treats solutions so there is less sludge. It works even better than sodium and magnesium precipitates over a wider pH range of wastewaters.
For more details on products and systems available for your metal finishing wastewater treatment chemistry options like the ones above, see abrite.com/envirobrite-waste-treatment-chemistry.