Abstract
The problem of process wastewater arises not only in fine chemical industry, but also where water is used for washing. In these cases, surfactant material is given to the water, so its washing capability is enhanced. The used water contains surfactant material and dirt. It has high chemical oxygen demand (COD) resulting in serious environmental problems. Finding a solution is inevitable because of the high wastewater fine which has to be paid by the factories if wastewater is emitted without any treatment. A suitable method had to be found that follows the principles of circular economy, so the industrial cycles can be closed like in nature and the water can be reused. Our designed method focuses on different kinds of wastewater containing special surfactant materials, and it has chemical industry relations. The treatment should have reduced the high COD value below to 1000 mgO2/L, which is the discharge limit. It was also aimed that instead of discharging, the treated water could be recycled and reused. Our new physicochemical treatment process consists of a vacuum evaporation method that reduces COD from c.a. 8400 to 1100 mgO2/L. Both laboratory and pilot experiments were investigated. Since this COD value was not satisfactory, a subsequent reverse osmosis membrane operation was also applied. This two-step method, vacuum evaporator followed by reverse osmosis, was able to reduce the COD in wastewater containing surfactant/washing material below the discharge limit. 100 mgO2/L could be reached with using TriSep™ X201 membrane. Penalty calculation and cost estimation also demonstrate the efficiency of our novel method.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Chemical industry produces several types of wastes
Both laboratory and pilot experiments were investigated. Since this chemical oxygen demand (COD) value was not satisfactory, a subsequent reverse osmosis membrane operation was applied. This two-step method, vacuum evaporator followed by reverse osmosis, was able to reduce the COD in wastewater containing surfactant/washing material below the discharge limit. 100 mgO2/L could be reached with using TriSepTM X201 membrane
The aim of this study is to develop a method to reduce the COD value of process wastewater under 1000 mgO2/L and to reuse it from the beginning to the end of the process if it is possible
Summary
Chemical industry produces several types of wastes Parts of these wastes have been already treated, but certain process wastewater (PWW), after appropriate treatment, should be recycled and reused according to the principle of circular economy. Special treatment/cleaning of chemical equipment must be completed regularly in the fine chemical factories and electronic industry; large amount of wastewater is generated. Typical example of it is the high content of organic compounds, in most cases with surfactant materials. Among the possible treatment concepts, physicochemical approaches got into the focus of interest lately Approaches like these offer relatively small environmental impact, and the polluting organic substances can be recycled and/or reused
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