【Weekly Topic】Production Technology: Challenges in Treating Chemical Industry Wastewater? 2011.09.04~09.11

The challenge in treating the large amount of wastewater generated in chemical production processes is the treatment of toxic, harmful, and corrosive wastewater. These wastewater streams pose a severe threat to both human health and the environment; improper treatment can lead to disasters. To deal with these wastewaters, substantial funds are required to purchase advanced treatment equipment, which in turn increases the burden on businesses. For companies with average profitability, it is impossible to allocate such large amounts of money for treatment purposes. This is where the issue of balancing profitability with environmental protection arises, and it constitutes one of the challenges in wastewater treatment. Additionally, people’s awareness of environmental protection – especially that of key managers – is also a factor contributing to the difficulties in wastewater treatment.

Reply 1# sun-rock: The challenges in treating chemical wastewater include: 1. Acid removal from acidic wastewater； 2. Dealkalization of alkaline wastewater ； 3. Removal of salts ； 4. Degradation of polymeric organic compounds ； 5. Oil removal from emulsions formed by oil wastewater with high specific gravity and high viscosity

The key issue is still cost; that is, economically viable and environmentally friendly treatment methods are the most popular

Reply to 1# sun-rock: The amount of wastewater generated is large, and there are too few places where this recycled water can be used, so it has to be discharged.

Challenges in chemical wastewater treatment: 1. There is a wide variety of chemical products, which corresponds to many different types of wastewater. Each type of wastewater generally requires specific treatment methods, which poses significant difficulties in wastewater treatment. 2. The costs associated with wastewater treatment are usually high. Although requirements are strict nowadays, actual supervision is not sufficient; as a result, most manufacturers either neglect wastewater treatment in order to maximize profits, or operate the treatment systems only part-time – they activate them when inspections are coming, and shut them down when no one is checking. And that’s why fewer people choose to study it – there is no profit involved, so professionals do not engage in research, and as a result the techniques do not develop, creating a vicious cycle

Reply 1# sun-rock: In chemical wastewater, the type that presents the greatest challenges and higher treatment costs is wastewater with high ammonia nitrogen levels. Roughly speaking, the treatment cost per kg of ammonia nitrogen amounts to 5 yuan; therefore, it is necessary to consider recycling wastewater as much as possible during the production process in order to reduce emissions.

The pH is easy to control; the difficulty lies in the degradation of organic substances. Environmental issues are not a matter of money; they are more due to outdated technology.

Reply 1# sun-rock 1. Collect and process centrally. 2. Establish a wastewater treatment station. 3. Meet the emission standards. 4. Provide personal protective equipment. 5. Anaerobic fermentation, gas emission, and collection.

Reply to 1# sun-rock: It has high toxicity, requires large amounts of treatment; the treatment equipment takes up a lot of space, is costly, and the treatment expenses are high. Its biodegradability is poor

Organic substances and heavy metal ions present in wastewater. Solid pollutants after wastewater treatment. Many, that’s tough.