Treatment of phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories using centrifugal extractors

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The use of centrifugal extractors for treating phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories. After identifying the sources and main components of such wastewater, it is recommended to adopt comprehensive measures for its treatment. This involves reforming the production processes, using processes and raw materials that generate less pollution, and taking technical steps to recycle and make use of the wastewater generated during resin production, thereby reducing pollutant emissions as much as possible. This article provides a relatively detailed overview of the currently mature solvent extraction method, which makes use of centrifugal extraction to treat phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories. Overview of the Insulation Materials Industry: The insulation materials industry is one of the sectors in the machinery industry that generates significant pollution. Its production processes are of a chemical nature, and due to the use of large amounts of chemical raw materials, large quantities of toxic and harmful wastewater are produced during the manufacturing process. At present, most factories mainly produce phenolic resins, which results in the generation of phenol-containing wastewater. In addition to phenol, wastewater also contains organic pollutants such as benzene, aldehydes, and alcohols. Wastewater from insulation material factories: The wastewater containing phenols, aldehydes, and alcohols generated during the production of phenolic resins in such factories causes severe pollution of water bodies. On average, for every 1 ton of resin produced, 0.6 tons of organic wastewater are generated, containing 5–6% phenol, 2–3% formaldehyde, as well as other organic substances such as methanol. If emissions exceed the limits, it will cause severe pollution of the water sources used for irrigating farmland in the suburbs. Pollution caused by phenolic wastewater: The main environmental problem arising from the production of phenolic resins is the pollution of the environment due to wastewater discharge. Depending on the production processes and operating conditions, the concentration of pollutants in the wastewater generated by different phenolic resins varies as well. The pollutants in wastewater are mainly phenols, aldehydes, etc. The concentration of phenols can range from 16 to 440 g/l, that of aldehydes from 20 to 60 g/l, that of alcohols from 25 to 272 g/l, and the COD level can reach hundreds of thousands of mg/l; thus, it belongs to one of the types of organic chemical wastewater that is difficult to treat. The significance of treating phenolic wastewater: Many surface waters and groundwater bodies in China are contaminated by phenolic wastewater, which has been identified as a key area requiring treatment. Therefore, it is very important to treat phenolic wastewater; otherwise, it will cause severe harm to the environment. The significance of centrifugal extractors in treating phenol-containing wastewater: Centrifugal extractors are multi-functional extraction devices that combine mixing and separation in one unit. It is mainly used in liquid-liquid extraction, neutralization, or washing and purification processes in industries such as environmental protection, fine chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and hydrometallurgy. Features of centrifugal extractors in treating phenol-containing wastewater: Compared with other extraction equipment, centrifugal extractors have advantages such as smaller size, higher extraction efficiency, a larger extraction flow ratio, and a wider range of applicable material treatment systems. They are effective in improving product quality, reducing consumption, simplifying processes, facilitating operation, increasing production capacity, and minimizing the required floor space. Treatment plan for phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories using centrifugal extractors. The core of this technology lies in novel complexing extractants and high-efficiency centrifugal extractors; the method of treating phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories through complexing extraction combines reversible complexation with the extraction and separation processes. The technique of using complexation extraction to treat phenol-containing wastewater from insulation material factories is simple to operate, requires low equipment investment and low consumption; the recovered phenols can be reused, and the extract residue contains less phenol than the allowable emission levels. This approach generates direct social and economic benefits, making it superior to other extraction technologies for phenol removal in China. In 1991, this technology was included in the **Key Promotion Program for Scientific and Technological Achievements**, and in 1992 it was recognized as the **Best Practical Technology for Environmental Protection**.