Automation of an electrolytic cell for the treatment of oily wastewater

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Prof.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.670050414· OSTI ID:6950445

Oblinger, F G; Weintraub, M; Blais, E J; Gealer, R L

An automatic control system was installed and evaluated on a pilot plant for the electrolytic treatment of oily wastewater which was in operation at an automotive transmission plant. In this continuous process, the wastewater passes through a porous iron chip bed anode where the oil emulsion is demulsified by electrolytically dissolved iron, forming an oil-rich floating sludge and oil-free water. The control system maintains a low effluent oil concentration by adjusting the anode current, and hence the amount of iron dissolved, in response to deviations from a set-point of effluent oil content, as sensed with an in-line turbidimeter. The current automatically assumes the newly demanded value within about 6 to 10 munutes of a step increase or decrease in effluent turbidity. The system controlled the treatment of the widely varying plant wastewater continuously for 30 days, with no intervention or control adjustment and with a minimum of daily maintenance.

• Research Organization: Research Staff, Ford Motor Co., P.O. Box 2053, Dearborn, MI
• OSTI ID: 6950445
• Journal Information: Environ. Prof.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Prof.; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN EPROD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400 -- Electrochemistry
ANODES
AUTOMATION
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
COLLOIDS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DEMULSIFICATION
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ELEMENTS
EMULSIONS
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
INSTALLATION
IRON
LIQUID METALS
LIQUID WASTES
LIQUIDS
LUBRICANTS
LUBRICATING OILS
LYSIS
MACHINE PARTS
MECHANICAL TRANSMISSIONS
METALS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PILOT PLANTS
SLUDGES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TURBIDITY
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER TREATMENT
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS