An Investigation of Technologies for Hazardous Sludge Reduction at AFLC (Air Force Logistics Command) Industrial Waste Treatment Plants. Volume 3. Heavy Metal Waste Treatment Research and Development Needs.

Abstract

Abstract : Hazardous waste disposal costs have risen dramatically in recent years, making the volume of sludge generated by industrial waste treatment nearly as important as the quality of the effluent water. Because of the magnitude of the Air Force's aircraft maintenance mission, over a billion gallons of mixed industrial wastewater require treatment each year. The result of this operation is tens of thousands of tons of hazardous sludge requiring disposal. This project was initiated to examine treatment technologies that could reduce this sludge disposal burden. In addition to volume, factors such as operator expertise required, system operating and maintenance costs, and the ability of a given technology to treat a mixed industrial waste stream were considered. Available technologies were first screened from literature and then those deemed most promising were subjected to laboratory scale testing. The results of the literature search, laboratory testing, and a contractor suggested R&D program direction are reported in three volumes, as follows: Volume III: Heavy Metal Waste Treatment Research and Development Needs was based on a survey of Navy electroplating and waste treatment facilities, but encompasses both ongoing and planned research projects among all three major service branches. By extending the project to other than strictly Air Force facilities, the contractor was able to suggest a coordinated R&D program eliminating redundancy among the three branches.