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Put the breaks on wastewater emulsions

Journal Article · · Chemical Engineering
OSTI ID:611540
 [1]
  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

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