Organoclays lead the way to zero discharge
- Biomin Inc., Ferndale, MI (United States)
Zero pollutant discharge is an increasingly important goal, particularly in the water-starved states of the western US. If cost-effective cleanup methods can be found, industrial process water, contaminated groundwater and stormwater runoff can be recycled. An industrial facility that has a discharge permit setting a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) oil, but whose actual wastewater discharge contains only 5 ppm, may decide that cleanup for the purpose of recycling is not cost-effective, as this might require monthly carbon changeouts. At a cost of $1.60 per pound, plus such related inconveniences as productivity loss, the recycling option may be unattractive. Another alternative is use of organically modified clay, or organoclay, a bentonite modified with quaternary amines that removes oil from water cost-effectively up to about 60 ppm and at seven times the rate of activated carbon, or at 50% of its weight. When an organoclay is placed into water contaminated with oils or chlorinated hydrocarbons, two processes occur: the quaternary amine chains dissolve (partition) into the oil droplets, fixating them by means of coulombic forces; and chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pentachlorophenol, seem to be removed by anion exchange with the chlorine end. Organoclay`s capacity to remove hexavalent chrome seems to attest to the validity of this theory.
- OSTI ID:
- 379656
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Solutions, Journal Name: Environmental Solutions Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 9; ISSN ESOLE7; ISSN 1077-2537
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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