Put the breaks on wastewater emulsions

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Chemical Engineering

OSTI ID:611540

Alther, G ^[1]

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1. Biomin, Inc., Ferndale, MI (United States)

Emulsions in wastewater pose a vexing problem for facilities attempting to recycle water and stay in compliance with permissible discharge limits. But the challenges are no less formidable for routine maintenance. The removal of emulsions, a major constituent of which are fats, oils and greases (FOGs), is necessary to prevent them from depositing on pipes and fouling filtration media. Some of the havoc caused by emulsions can be avoided if emulsions are broken and removed from wastewater streams. Successful emulsion breaking requires a basic understanding of emulsions, their chemical composition, and the technologies required to remove them from water. The paper discusses emulsion basics and emulsion breaking, including counteracting emulsions, testing procedures, physical separation methods, removal strategies, bentonite-based powders, and post-polishing.

• OSTI ID: 611540
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 105; ISSN CHEEA3; ISSN 0009-2460
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BENTONITE
DEMULSIFICATION
DEMULSIFIERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURFACE POTENTIAL
WASTE WATER
WATER TREATMENT