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Environmental Protection

Environmental Protection by Dave Russell, president, Global Environmental Operations Inc.

Dave Russell, president of Global Environmental Operations Inc., Lilburn, Ga., worked as an environmental engineer and environmental manager for several chemical companies before founding in 1986 his consulting firm, which has been involved in projects around the world. He teaches courses on wastewater treatment and has authored a number of technical publications and a book “Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Sites.”

Can our calcium carbonate "waste" be utilized in other industries so we can divert it from landfills?
I work for a major sugar producer. As part of our process, calcium carbonate is created at a refinery that utilizes a process called carbonization for primary purification. In this process lime (calcium oxide or CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are proportionally added and a chemical reaction takes place. A calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitate is formed as a result, which captures colorant between the CaCO₃ crystals and this is subsequently filtered out, desweetened, and partially dried.

Currently we dispose of millions of pounds of this calcium carbonate "waste" each year. We would like to know if this material can be utilized in other industries so we can divert it from landfills to be recycled. Please advise if you know of any outlets for this material. Analytic testing results can be provided if needed.
Category: Environmental Protection

What is causing the gummy mess in the fermentation process?
We are facing a gummy fermented mash in our fermentation section using sugarcane molasses as feedstock. What is the reason of formation of gum in fermentation? How can we overcome the gum? Is there a method for determining the amount of the gum in mash?
Category: Environmental Protection

What impact does ethanol have in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant?
I'm looking for information regarding refineries' experiences handling ethanol-gasoline vapors from truck loading racks in their flare system. Also, the impact ethanol has in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant. In some systems, these vapors will mix with water (in headers, FGR units, Flare KO drums, sour water stripping units, etc.) and will end up in wastewater units. What steps have been taken to manage this situation?
Category: Environmental Protection

Could you recommend a good method for separating exhaust?
We have an exhaust stream that includes CH₄, CO₂, CO, H₂O. I want to separate CH₄ and reuse it in the furnace. Could you recommend a good method for separation?
Category: Environmental Protection

Is there a better chemical to use as an anti-foaming agent?
We have a problem with excess foam generated in our primary rinse out conveyor. The rinser uses water to remove PVA film left over by a decorative film dipping process (water transfer printing).
We have tried an anti-foaming product with Polydimethylsiloxane, but we are still having to use far more than the recommended amount for the two 100-gallon tanks.
Is there a better chemical to use as an anti-foaming agent or can the foam be reduced mechanically?
Category: Environmental Protection

Can we stop flaring and route gases to a sphere buffer vessel?
Can we stop flaring? The hydrocarbon gases (light) when system pressure goes beyond normal operation condition. When the safety valves opens after reaching the rated psv value it will be 1.5 times the operational value. Can we safely route these gases to an lpg/c-3/c-4/low calorific/high calorific/fuel gas header/buffer bullet/sphere like buffer vessel set at 5-6 kg /cm²/ to pilot burners?
Category: Environmental Protection

How do I remove Bromium from water?
What is the most adequate method for removing Bromate from the water other than reverse osmosis?
Category: Environmental Protection

Locating A Suitable Antifoaming Agent
We are having an Effluent Treatment Plant of 300 KLD capacity which receives effluents from our Biscuit, Shampoo,Soap and Printing plants and Domestic sewage also gets added to it. The process is of Extended Aeration type. The foam that gets generated at times affects the ETP operations and hence the treated water quality. We have not been able to locate suitable antifoaming agent which could kill the source of the foam itself. The defoamers dont give any results. Could you pls provide some solution to this problem?
Category: Environmental Protection

Bringing exposed piping into SPCC compliance
I am working to bring a co-generation plant into compliance with federal SPCC regulations. We have issues regarding exposed piping in areas where secondary containment and/or drainage controls are not practical. Are there double-walled piping systems that are suitable for diesel fuel but that can be used above-ground? What would be the best material for this application, taking into account UV exposure, durability, leak detection and maintenance requirements?
Category: Environmental Protection

Gas filtration membrane
We are looking for a gas filtration membrane. We want to separate VOCs from air. We have the choice among PDMS or PET membranes, some are more specific to polar compounds (eg PET) but have a slower response time, which is quite important for my process. What would be my best fit? Is there any thumb rule to help me going into the right direction to begin the tests?
Category: Environmental Protection

Mechanical disruption and purification
Our pipeline product DHA, a poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is produced through fermentation route by a fungus. The problem is the product is intracellular and we attempt to rupture the cell by saponification. During this process, the cell ruptures and the PUFA forms soap, thereby losing the product. We try to do this cost effectively, as the product is not of high value. Can you suggest a suitable technique for rupturing the cells?
Category: Environmental Protection

Processing hydrocarbon vapor
I want to process 45 NM³/hr of hydrocarbon vapor specifically from Jet A1, Naphtha, Crude, LFO, Condensates) and convert it to N₂ using a burner, scrubber and the necessary secondary processes. Would you provide a background on the best way to process this vapor, and if possible, a list of companies that provide this type of package equipment?
Category: Environmental Protection

Recycling electronic waste
I am an active member of environmental committee at my work place. We had an issue in last meeting; we want to control end-of-life or damaged electronics going in to the regular waste. Is there anyway we can scan the waste and segregate electronic waste?
Category: Environmental Protection

Boiler and scrubber blowdown
What does the term blowdown mean in a boiler and scrubber recirculation tank? How is it calculated?
Category: Environmental Protection

Reduce emissions
I have an incineration system in which we incinerate liquid waste & Aq. We use a spray quencher with 5-1,000 ppm tds water and have venturi scrubber. We are suffering by high emissions of spm App 400-500 ppm. During a study, we found 20,000-100,000 tds in the recirculation tank (RCT) and in the stack condensate, we have nearly the same tds. How do we reduce spms from the stack if it is due to tds carrying by flue gas?
Category: Environmental Protection

Declining water pH level
A lime-treated water sample had a neutral pH. When preserved for few days, its pH declines. What is the probable reason?
Category: Environmental Protection

Chemical processing definition
Could you give me a definition of chemical processing, or direct me to a definition you know of? I'm working with the UK Finance Act 2000, the section relating the Climate Change levy. There they use the term "chemical processing", but do not define it.
Category: Environmental Protection

PET bottle manufacturing
We are a small bottling facility and bottled water company located in a pristine part of the country. We wish to expand our bottling facility and add a Nissei two-stage injection and blow molding system on site. Our goal is to control our manufacturing process so that we can become competitive and self contained. To achieve our goal, we must expand our existing plant facility. One of the requirements that the county planners are asking us to provide prior to granting us permission to proceed is confirmation that our PET injection and blow molding process will not contaminate the surrounding environment. I am having a hard time finding some kind a report or data on PET bottle manufacturing and the environment. All I can find is information on the recycling process. Can you provide information on the subject?
Category: Environmental Protection

Chemical engineering reference guides
What is the difference between a packed bed absorber and a plate bed absorber? How do you decide packing height related to plate-in-plate absorber? How would I get the detailed design procedure for a plate bed absorber?
Category: Environmental Protection

Reducing NOx concentration
I shall be very grateful to you for giving the proper guidelines for NO_x control from the stack. Suppose if we incinerate the nitrogen base material, the result is NO_x production and it is not reduced by scrubbing system. How so we reduce the NO_x concentration from stack?
Category: Environmental Protection

How do Venturi scrubbers work?
How do Venturi scrubbers work and are they used primarily for scrubbing solid particulate. The only application I have seen was for removing ash from a ventilator on a molten KOH paint stripping operation.
Category: Environmental Protection

Removing acetone from wastewater
Is there a viable technology to remove acetone from wastewater at incoming concentrations of 5,000 ppb and reducing its content to less that 50 ppb? Flowrates are approximately 10-20 gpm
Category: Environmental Protection

VOC reduction
I want to know which are the different technologies available to reduce VOC's in gas streams. Where can I find this information? Which are the different technologies to reduce or eliminate H2S?
Category: Environmental Protection

"The practical way to control spills and reduce flows."
You have a section of the plant which is accounting for a substantial number of spills and process discharges. Short of nuclear war within the plant, what's the most effective way to get the process to control spills and leaks?
Category: Environmental Protection