Title: Module 6: EFFLUENT TREATMENT AND RESIDUALS MANAGEMENT
1Module 6EFFLUENT TREATMENT AND RESIDUALS
MANAGEMENT
- Program for North American Mobility in Higher
Education
2Structure of this module
- This module is divided into 3 tiers, each with
a specific goal - Tier 1.- Basic introduction
- Tier 2.- Case study of the pulp paper sector
- Tier 3.- Open-ended problem
3Tier 1. Contents
- Introduction
- Industrial pollution problems.
- The petroleum industry.
- The pulp and paper industry.
- Programs for reducing pollution.
- Treatment processes.
- Process selection.
- Volume and disposal reduction.
4Effluent Treatment and Residuals Management
Tier I Introductory concepts
Tier 1
5G o a l s
- To provide information about the significance of
treating effluents from industry and others
facilities (or sources) - To extreme the necessity of minimize pollutant
concentration in the effluents and reduce the
wastes production, and, - To suggest strategies to reduce pollutant wastes
production and their emission to the environment
Tier 1
6What is pollution?
- Pollution means
- changes in the physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of air, land and water - harms for the human and other living species,
and, - degradation of the ecosystems
- ...the undesirable state of the natural
environment being contaminated with harmful
substances as a consequence of human activities - For example, Water Pollution refers to
contaminants in aquatic ecosystems (streams,
lakes, etc) which render them unfit for a
particular use.
Tier 1
7Pollutants can reach
- Air
- Water
- Solid waste
- This module focuses on water pollution from
industrial sources
Tier 1
8Water standards
- Drinkable
- Recreation swimming, fishing.
- Irrigation
- Water impurities may or may not be harmful it
depends on - The amounts and nature of these impurities,
- The next use to which the water will be put, and
- The tolerance of these impurities for the next
use.
Tier 1
9Types and characteristics of wastewaters
Contaminants Reason for importance
Physical suspended solids They can lead to the development of sludge deposits.
Chemical biodegradable organics When discharged untreated to the environment, they lead to the depletion of natural oxygen resources.
Nutrients If discharged, they can lead to water pollution.
Hazardous Because of their characteristics (e.g.,toxicity, flammability) are dangerous for human health and the environment.
Heavy metals They can negatively impact upon biological waste treatment processes.
Dissolved inorganic solids They are result of water use, and may have to be removed if the wastewater is to be reused.
Biological pathogens Communicable diseases can be transmitted by the pathogenic organism in wastewater.
Tier 1
10Water standards
Industrial effluent standards Industrial effluent standards Industrial effluent standards Industrial effluent standards
Parameter Mexico a USA b Canada c
Total suspended solids, (mg/l) 150 27 15
BOD5, (mg/l) 20 56 15
pH 5-10 6-9 6-10.5
Tier 1
11Tier 1
12What is BOD?
- By definition, BOD is the quantity of oxygen
required for the stabilization of the oxidizable
organic matter present over 5 days
of incubation at 20 oC that
can be explained as a measure of the oxygen
required by microbes to degrade a sample of
effluent. - The organic content of the water can be estimated
by the BOD. -
Tier 1
13Why should we minimize the use of water?
- Water is such an important part of many
manufacturing processes that we must consider
Effluent Treatment as a part of the main process
because of the great amount always involved. - Water is abstracted from aquifers and rivers,
treated and supply to industries and homes for
different uses used water is supposed to be
treated and discharged again into the rivers.
Most of the times, this water returns to its
natural environment but unfortunately, with a
greater heat content or with some substances
added.
Tier 1
14Why should we minimize the use of water?
- It is also important to minimize use of water
because of several reasons - Fresh water is often scarce. High costs involved
operating effluent treatment plants. - Difficult to separate all the elements that
pollute water. -
Tier 1
15Industrial pollution problems
Tier 1
16Industrial pollution problems
- The main pollution problems are related to
- Increasing use of water for agriculture.
- The increase of aqueous effluent to receiving
water. - Population growth.
- Industrial products and services.
- The mental, technical, financial, regulatory and
institutional barriers to implement preventive
modern technologies. - RESULTS
- Ecosystems decline.
- Industrialization social costs.
- The increase of human diseases.
Tier 1
17The petroleum industry
Tier 1
18The Petroleum Industry
- Crude oil refining operations involve extracting
useful petroleum products from crude oil. Crude
oil contains fractions of napthas, gasoline, gas
oils, diesel fuel, asphalt, jet fuel and
lubrication fuels. - Large quantities of production wastes are
produced during exploration and production - Wastewater
- Solid waste
- Toxic pollutants
Tier 1
19The Petroleum Industry
- Production wastes in the petroleum industry can
be grouped broadly into 2 classes - Wastes related to drilling including chemical
additives treatment and disposal of oil
drilling wastes takes place either on or off the
drilling site. - Wastes related to oil production, primarily
produced water - The volume of produced water exceeds the volume
of drilled wastes. - If environmental quality standards are not
exceeded the remainder may be discharged to
surface waters. The majority of produced water is
disposed of underground through injection wells
and it is permitted under U.S. EPA control
programs.
Tier 1
20What is refinery effluent?
- Petroleum refineries use large volumes of water
in their processes. - The wastewater contains hazardous chemicals
-
Tier 1
21Refinery wastes
- Emissions from refineries include
- Sulfur oxides
- Nitrogen oxides
- Benzene, toluene and xylene
- VOC
- Wastewater containing BOD levels
- Heavy metals
Tier 1
22Wastes generated
Tier 1
(Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook
World Bank Group)
23The pulp and paper industry
Tier 1
24How paper is made
- Most of the raw material needed for paper
manufacture is supplied by trees. - The main steps in the pulp and paper manufacture
are raw material preparation, such as wood
debarking, and chip making pulp manufacturing
pulp bleaching paper manufacturing and fiber
recycling. Pulp mills and paper mills may exist
separately or as integrated operations. - The characteristics of the paper (smoothness,
glazed finish) are given by a process called
calendering. - The paper undergo coating, whereby a thin layer
of coating pigment or filler is spread onto the
paper surface.
Tier 1
25Pulp and paper industry
- The pulp and paper industry has made significant
steps toward conserving water and energy. - Significant water reductions are achieved through
better reuse methods and by separating cooling
water from process water. - The waste streams generated in this industry are
best classified by their origins as show in the
next slide. -
-
Tier 1
26Types of waste products in the pulp and paper
industry
- Material originated in raw materials (dirt and
bark with wood). - Nonfiber components in wood.
- Contaminants in waste paper and make-up
chemicals. - Reaction products (dissolved wood substance from
mechanical or chemical action). - Fiber fragments.
- By-products of chemical recovery and combustion.
- Fiber and nonfiber process looses and discharges
of water, air and heat.
Tier 1
27The pulp and paper industry
- Water use and effluent discharges
- Liquids discharges from the process contain
solids, mainly fiber, fillers, and colloidal and
dissolved material. The fiber and fillers are
minimized and reused. Colloidal and dissolved
materials are by-products of the refining of the
fibers or carried over from the pulp mill. - Discharges of dissolved material are minimized by
washing the stock and displaced carryover from
pulp mills and by practicing good water reuse
strategies that reduce the volume and
concentrations of waste in wastewater.
Tier 1
28Programs for reducing pollution
Tier 1
29Government programs for reducing pollution
- For sustainable development, governmental
pollution prevention programs can best counteract
the pressure to invest in end of pipe pollution
solutions by demonstrating the economic and
environmental benefits of a source reduction
approach, making technical information available
and providing technical assistance. - EPA has been working with industry and government
representing environmental, community and work
force issues to prevent pollution at the source
prior to end of pipe treatment.
Tier 1
30Government programs for reducing pollution
- Laws such as NEPA, TCSA, CAAA and PPA remain
outside the scope of most pollution control work.
The following options were suggested for USEPA
for moving forward interaction in the US - Add multi-media provisions to the existing
regulations. - Correct laws in other policy sectors with
environmental measures. - Make NEPA a stronger statute.
- Make TSCA a law which can use EPA programs to
control and reduce toxic substances. - Establish pollution prevention approaches.
Tier 1
31Programs for reducing pollution
- Manufacturers could implement a variety of
- improved management procedures
- that would aid pollution reduction
- Environmental audits. Identify (inventory) and
correct problems (strategies to achieve
reductions) that generate wastes. - Regular preventive maintenance. Inspection,
maintenance and replacement of equipment. - Material handling and storage. Emissions of
hazardous material must be avoided. There should
be labels of all containers and first aid
recommendations. - Employee training. Well informed employees are
better able to make valuable waste reduction
suggestion. - Operating manual and record keeping. Good
facility documentation process procedures,
control parameters, hazards and operator
responsibilities.
Tier 1
32Environmental programs
- Some industries may see no difference between end
of pipe pollution control and a front end
pollution prevention control. - The importance is that those industries may not
go beyond the first stage of waste reduction. - As the environmental concern deepens, industries
have to move further up the production chain - End of pipe solution to wastes and pollutants
and later - Internal process modifications to reduce
emissions and wastes, and eventually - Redesign products to achieve a maximum level of
recycling of raw materials and minimization of
wastes after the products are used.
Tier 1
33Some measurements to save water
- Keep water effluent streams separated.
- Reuse water as close to source as possible.
- Recycling whenever it is possible.
- Better control of usage with automated systems.
- Checking and control of leaks.
- When buying new equipment, evaluate
water-efficiency models including accessories. - Reducing the quantities of chemicals so that the
amount of dilution water will be reduced.
Tier 1
34Reusing water
- It is not only possible but necessary to reuse
wastewater of a process stream before it leaves
the plant accomplished by piping, diluting or
treating some of the effluents before using them
again. - Some plants are now using closed systems, so that
there are no water discharges. - Zero discharges has been practiced in locations
where water is scarce, and may involve
technologies for removing suspended and dissolved
solids. - Complete demineralization is relatively
expensive, however, in some cases wastewater
discharges can be reduced significantly with
other less expensive technologies.
Tier 1
35Treatment processes
Tier 1
36Expectations of a water treatment program
- The expectations from a water treatment program
should be integrated to include all aspects of
the program, from the proposal through to the
implementation stages.
Tier 1
37Treatment Program
- As we will see in the next diagram, the
expectations that a good treatment program should
give us are listed below - Overview of a new or existent problem.
- Lab study of all system and water composition.
- Submit a proposal.
- Program implementation.
- Monitoring to optimize.
- Use of modern treatment techniques.
Program under control
Tier 1
38Treatment Program
New or Problem System
Plant Study
Proposal
Implement Program
System under control
Lab Study
Follow-up
New Product Technology
Tier 1
39Wastewater treatment processes
- Wastes are generated by every industrial
enterprise, and this wastes can either be liquids
or solids. - Wastewater treatment can be divided into three
stages - Primary treatment that uses physical operations
to remove free oil and/or suspended solids. - Secondary treatment to remove dissolved
contaminants through chemical or biological
action, and - Tertiary treatment for the removal of residual
contaminants.
Tier 1
40Separation order
- This list shows how separation is carried out
- Primary treatment
- Sedimentation
- Aeration
- Secondary treatment
- Tertiary treatment
Tier 1
41Treatments
- Primary treatment prepares the wastewater for
biological treatment. Large solids are removed by
screening, and grit. Equalization in a mixing
basin, levels out the flows variation and
concentrations. Neutralization, where required,
follows equalization. Oils, greases and suspended
solids are removed by flotation, sedimentation of
filtration. - Secondary treatment is a biological degradation
of soluble organic compounds from input levels of
50- 1000 mg/l BOD or greater to effluent levels
under 15 mg/l. Aerobic treatment in an open
vessel is done. After biotreatment, the
microorganisms and solids suspended are allowed
to settle.
Tier 1
42Treatments
- The tertiary treatment remove specific residuals.
By filtration, suspended colloidal solids can be
removed adsorption removes organics by granular
activated carbon (GAC) and chemical oxidation
also removes organic compounds. - Tertiary systems have to treat great amounts
of wastewater, so they are expensive. - When streams rich in heavy metals, pesticides or
other substances that may pass through primary
treatment and inhibit biological treatment are
present, in-plant treatments are necessary. - Precipitation, activated carbon adsorption,
chemical oxidation, air or steam stripping, wet
air oxidation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis are
some of the methods useful when in-plant
treatments are to be used.
Tier 1
43The tertiary treatment
- Tertiary treatment is a polishing step. Its
importance is that rather than have to find
solutions at the end of pipe, where primary and
secondary treatments are used to, it is possible
to minimize some toxics or hazardous components
in the process before they are combined with
other less hazardous. - Biological treatment usually produces a 30/20
effluent with no more than 30 mg/l suspended
solids and 20 mg/l BOD.
Tier 1
44Tertiary treatment
- However, river flows have decreased owing to
drought conditions. In these circumstances, new
limits are imposed on the quality of the final
effluent. The treatment processes beyond the
secondary treatment to achieve the required
limits in the process are well known as tertiary
treatments. -
Tier 1
45In plant treatment
- Before end of pipe wastewater treatment, a
program of waste minimization should be
initiated. - Recirculation. In the paper board industry, white
water from a paper machine can be put through a
save all to remove the pulp and fiber and
recycled to various points in the process. - Segregation. Clean streams are separated for
direct discharge. - Disposal. In many cases, the total discharge BOD
and suspended solids can be reduced by removal of
residue in semidry state for disposal. - Reduction. The use of automatic cutoffs can
reduce the wastewater volume. - Substitution. The substitution of chemical
additives of a lower pollutional effect in
processing operations.
Tier 1
46Wastewater treatment processesProcess selection
Tier 1
47Figure 1. Conceptual treatment program for
organic and toxic industrial wastewater
For wastewaters containing nontoxic organics,
process design criteria can be obtained from lab
studies.
To define the wastewater treatment problems, a
preliminary analysis should be carried out
Organic streams
Streams containing heavy metals
Mineral streams
Toxic and/or nonbiodegradable
volatile
Biodegradable
Source control Figure 3.
Equalization Neutralization Oil/grease
removal Suspended solids
Biological treatment
Final disposal
Tier 1
(Eckenfelder, 2000)
48Source treatment
goal
-
-
- Source reduction is any activity that reduces or
eliminates the generation of hazardous wastes at
the source - The fundamental goal is to enact changes in
consumption, use and waste generation patterns
associated with products
Tier 1
49Source treatment
- Source treatments involves different definitions
of source reduction, but the general consensus
appears to be that include any in-plant actions
to reduce the quantity or the toxicity of the
waste at the source. - Examples include equipment modification, design
and operations changes of the process and
products and substitution of raw materials.
Tier 1
50Figure 2. Laboratory studies for heavy
metals/volatile organics
start
Air or steam stripping
VOC/NH3
Equalized sample
Chemical oxidation reduction
Priority pollutants scan and bioassay
Precipitation
Heavy metals
When toxic and nontoxic organics and inorganics
are present, it is necessary to evaluate the
existence of heavy metals or volatile organics.
Nondegradable/ toxic
Fed batch reactor
Source treatment
Degradable
Long-term biodegradation
Granular activated carbon
Reverse osmosis
Priority pollutants scan and bioassay
Powder activated carbon
Priority pollutants/toxic
Ion exchange
TDS/inorganics
Tier 1
(Eckenfelder, 2000)
51Figure 3. Treatment of toxic wastewaterIn-plant
treatment
To discharge recycle or treatment
Reverse osmosis
If the wastewater is nonbiodegradable or toxic,
it should be considered source treatment or
in-plant modification.
Ion exchange
Polymeric resins
Granular carbon adsorption
Filtration
Anaerobic treatment
Precipitation
Oxidation reduction
Wet air oxidation
Air or steam stripping
Chemical oxidation
Volatile organics ammonia
Process wastewater
Heavy metals
Organic chemicals
Tier 1
(Eckenfelder, 2000)
52Methods for suspended solids removal
- Sedimentation is the more common technique in
wastewater treatment because it involves little
mechanical equipment and it is very stable to
operate. However, there are some situations where
flotation is a better choice. - Flotation is a good technique for solids removal
when the density difference between water and the
solids is marginal, or the solids have a high fat
or oil content.
Tier 1
53Methods for suspended solids removal
- Coagulation is employed for removal of waste
materials in suspended or colloidal form.
Colloids are particles within the size range of 1
nm to 0.1 nm, do not settle out on standing and
can not be removed by conventional physical
treatment processes. - Precipitation. In the water treatment, the
precipitation process is used for softening
(removal of the hardness caused by calcium and
magnesium) and removal of iron and manganese.
Tier 1
54Sedimentation
- Reduce solids by at least 50, with proportional
reduce of BOD. - Addition of chemicals to assist settlement by
coagulating particles or chemical precipitation
can be essential. - Can have acceptable discharge standards with
regular desludging without a secondary treatment. - Primary tanks are desludged at intervals of
between 8 and 24 hours. - Secondary settlement follows any form of
biological aeration or filtration to produce an
effluent low in solids. - Particularly demanding discharge consents may
dictate a tertiary treatment to remove solids and
BOD by a further 50.
Tier 1
55Flotation
- Dissolved air flotation, which is a common
technique. This technique basically consists on
injecting an aqueous stream containing dissolved
air into the wastewater . The dissolved air forms
bubbles when it comes out of solution and carries
suspended particles, which tend to concentrate at
the bubble wastewater interface, to the surface,
where they form an emulsion.
Tier 1
56Flotation
General diagram for flotation methods
Tier 1
57Coagulation
- Paperboards wastes can be effectively coagulated
with low dosages of alum. Silica or
polyelectrolyte will aid in the formation of a
rapid settling floc. - Wastes that contain emulsified oil can also be
clarified by coagulation. - For effective coagulation, alkalinity should
first be added, . After addition of alkali and
coagulant, a rapid mixing is recommended.
Tier 1
58Precipitation
- Chemical precipitation in wastewater treatment
involves the addition of chemicals to alter the
physical and chemical state of dissolved and
suspended material and to facilitate their
removal. It is usually combined with coagulation,
flocculation, separation. - Principle Dissolved compounds, for instance
heavy metal ions, are brought into their
insoluble hydroxides by pH increase through
dosing of lime or NaOH. Using coagulation,
flocculation techniques these small hydroxide
nuclei become larger flocs for separation. With
proper precipitants these flocs also serve as
entrapment for other dissolved (organic)
compounds a form of co-precipitation.
Tier 1
59Heavy Metals Removal
HEAVY METALS REMOVAL TECHNOLOGIES
Conventional precipitation
Hydroxide
Sulfide
carbonate
coprecipitation
Enhanced precipitation
Dimethyl thio carbamate
Diethyl thio carbamate
Trimercapto-s-triazine, trisodium salt
Other methods
Ion exchange
Adsorption
Recovery opportunities
Ion exchange
Membranes
Electrolytic techniques
Tier 1
60The Biological Treatment
When biological treatment is needed, there are
several options
Influent wastewater
High strength
Yes
Yes
No
Physical and chemical treatment
High strength
Anaerobic treatment
Biodegradable
Yes
Polished effluent
Inhibitory Nondegradable fraction
Yes
No
Discharge
PACT
No
Discharge
Nitrogen
Complete mix system
Dispersed growth system
Readily degradable
No
No
No
removal required
Fixed Growth system
Yes
Yes
Intermittent process
Plug flow system
Selector system
Nitrification/ Denitrification system
Yes
Polished effluent
No
Discharge
Discharge
Tier 1
(Eckenfelder, 2000)
61The biological treatment typical operating
parameters and dimensions
Treatment method Mode of operation Degree of treatment Land requirements Equipment Remarks
Lagoon Intermittent or continuous discharge facultative or anaerobic Intermediate Earth dug 10-60 days retention Odor control frequently required
Activated lagoons Completely mixed or facultative continuous basins High in summer less in winter Earth basin, 8-16 ft deep, 8-16 acres/(million gal/d) Pier-mounted or floating surface aerators or subsurface diffusers Solids separation in lagoon periodic dewatering and sludge removal
Activated sludge Completely mixed or plug flow sludge recycle gt 90 removal of organics Earth or concrete basin 12p20 ft deep 75000-350000ft3/(million gal/d) Diffused or mechanical aerators clarifier for sludge separation and recycle Excess sludge dewatered and disposed of
Trickling filter Continuous application may employ effluent recycle Intermediate or high, depending on loading 225-1400 ft /(million gal/d) Plastic packing 20-40 ft deep Pretreatment before POTW or activated sludge plant
RBC Multistage continuous Intermediate or high Plastic disks Solids separation required
Anaerobic Complete mix with recycle upflow or downflow filter, fluidized bed upflow sludge blanket Intermediate Gas collection required pretreatment before POTW or activated sludge plant
Spray irrigation Intermittent application of waste Complete water percolation into groundwater and runoff to stream 40-300 gal/(min.acre) Aluminum irrigation pipe and spray nozzles movable for relocation Solids separation required salt content in waste limited
Tier 1
(Eckenfelder, 2000)
62Advanced wastewater treatments
- Advanced wastewater treatment is defined as the
processes that remove more pollutants from
wastewater than the conventional treatments. This
term may be applied usually as tertiary
treatment, but most of their goals are to remove
nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids. - Advanced treatments include
- Chemical coagulation of wastewater
- Granular media filters
- Ultrafiltration
- Nanofiltration
- Wedge-wire screens
- Microscreening
- Diatomaceous earth filters
Tier 1
63Volume and disposal reduction
Tier 1
64Volume reduction
- Volume reduction can be used to reduce treatment
cost and to reduce handling and disposal costs
for residues remaining after treatment. Volume
reduction can be accomplished by using a variety
of methods - Reuse of treated wastewater and wastes
- Treatment modifications to reduce solid residues
- Segregated treatments to reduce hazardous waste
mixtures - Incineration to reduce waste volume and to render
a hazardous waste nonhazardous.
Tier 1
65Reduction of waste production and disposal
volumes
- Simple dewatering the sludge is discharged into
a series of tanks and allowed to settle. Top
water can then be decanted. This method reduce
the volume of sludge for disposal. - Composting the material is mechanically turned
at intervals, force aerated and often contained
in a building where heat losses, odor and water
content can be controlled.
Tier 1
66Reduction of waste production and disposal
volumes
- Digestion is the slow degeneration of the
organic content of sludge by obligate anaerobic
bacteria to simpler compounds- carbon dioxide,
water and anions (nitrate, sulphate, phosphate). - Digestion is one of the few sludge treatment
processes in which a significant reduction of
pathogens is possible. - The digestor gas produced is 65-70 methane,
30-34 carbon dioxide, and traces of sulphur
compounds. The collected gas is burnt in a boiler
to keep the digestor warm and the excess put to
further heating or power generation purposes.
Tier 1
67Reduction of waste production and disposal
volumes
- Incineration its main advantages lie in the
complete destruction of organic compounds, the
ash being inert and usually less than 25 of the
original sludge volume. - Most incinerators are of the fluidized bed
variety.
Tier 1
68A waste management diagram
Waste recycle
Upgrade operation
Waste treatment
Redesign process
Increasing Effectiveness of waste management
Waste disposal
Substitute raw material
Tier 1
69Multiple choice questions
Tier 1
70Tier 1 Quiz
- 1. What is pollution?
- Pollution refers to harmful environmental
contaminants and to the act or process of
polluting the environment. - Any undesirable change in the characteristics of
the air, water, soil or food that can affect the
health called pollution. - Unwanted chemicals or other materials found in
the environment. Pollutants can harm human
health, the environment, and property. - All of the above.
Tier 1
71Tier 1 Quiz
- 2. What is BOD?
- The quantity of oxygen required for the
stabilization of the oxidizable organic matter
present over 7 days of incubation at 20 oF. - An empirical test used for measuring waste,
evaluating the measure of the oxygen required by
microbes to degrade a sample of effluent. - A test used to evaluate the quantity of oxygen
present in the stream. - The quantity of oxygen required to develop a
biochemical test.
Tier 1
72Tier 1 Quiz
- 3. Why is it important to reduce hazardous
contaminants? - Because if discharged, they can lead to water
pollution. - Because of its radioactive characteristics, its
effects on human health and development of
cancer. - Communicable diseases can be transmitted when in
contact to them. - Because of their dangerous characteristics for
human health and the environment.
Tier 1
73Tier 1 Quiz
Tier 1