Environmental management/Refinery cyanides: a regulatory dilemma

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6540663

Kunz, R G ^[1]; Casey, J P; Huff, J E

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1. Air Prod. and Chem. Inc.

A discussion of refinery cyanide control, which is a regulatory dilemma for both agencies and refiners, shows that inadequate understanding of refinery cyanide chemistry and inherent limits in control mechanics have confused the problem; and covers the various cyanide species (free, simple, and complex); cyanide toxicity; current federal and state cyanide regulations for effluents; the occurrence and stability of simple and complex cyanides occurring in the refinery; cyanide-induced corrosion, and the use of polysulfides as inhibitors; analytical problems, owing to the failure of available methods to differentiate between simple and strongly complexed cyanides and thiocyanate interference; the modified Roberts/Jackson method, which is currently being tested as an ASTM Method and which apparently comes closest to the original EPA guideline to identify and restrict only free cyanide in refinery effluents; cyanide removal via chemical oxidation, biotreatment, absorption and catalytic oxidation, ion exchange, and precipitation; and the need for further work on the toxicity of complex cyanides in receiving streams.

• OSTI ID: 6540663
• Report Number(s): CONF-770420-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Journal Volume: 57:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL EFFLUENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CYANIDES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
PROCESSING
REGULATIONS
REMOVAL
TOXICITY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING