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Industrial Hygiene Digest
October, I960
MISCELLANEOUS
1033 Copper and BrasB Tube Mill Wastes Treatment. J. S. Bethel, Jr., C. N. Sawyer and C. Y. Hitchcock, Jr. J. Boston Soc. Civil Engrs, 47, 39-55 (Jan. 1960).
A laboratory investigation was made to determine optimum treatment procedures
to reduce the level of copper, zinc, and trivalent chromium in wastes expected from a new
copper and brass tube mill. The waste volume was estimated to be 400 gpm and to contain
50 ppm each of copper and zinc and 150 ppm of sulfuric acid, with a pH of about 2. 5 Titra
tion curves were developed which indicated that a pH of 9.5 was the optimum pH to be used
to precipitate metallic hydroxide sludges. Studies concerned with the effect of flocculator
speed on coagulation indicated that best results were obtained with a peripheral flocculator
speed of 0. 25 ft. per second. Although initially it was thought that a proper overflow rate
for the removal of metallic hydroxides should be 200 gallons per square foot per day, model
studies led to the conclusion that it would be safe to design on the basis of overflow rates of
600 to 800 gallons per sq. ft. per day. In the actual treatment process, wastes flow from the
copper and brass tube mill to an equalization lagoon. The wastes are pumped from the lagoon
to a mixing tank where lime is added. They then flow to a flocculator and sludge from the
flocculator flows to 2 lagoons where it is decanted, the top water being pumped back through
the treatment process. Strong pickling acids and spent dichromate brighteners are diverted
to separate sumps. Sulfuric acid and sodium bisulfite are added to the dichromate to reduce
the hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium. Operation of these 2 tanka is based on the
assumption that normal mill operation would not occur simvfltaneously with the dumping of
pickle tanks or dichromate tanks. Operation results to date show that the plant is functioning
as anticipated.
-- Cond. from Public Health Eng. Abets
1034 New Equipment Upgrades Refinery-Waste Treatment by Activated Sludge Process, A. A. Kalinske. Oil Gas. J. 57, 75-77 (Dec. 21, 1959).
Refinery wastewaters are amenable to treatment by aerobic decomposition pro
cesses ranging from application of the completely-mixed high-grade activated sludge process
to the simplest stabilization pond or lagoon. Mechanical equipment applicable to each process
is discussed. Use of turbine aerators designed for oxygen-absorption efficiencies of 25% or
more in a completely-mixed activated-sludge system capable of operation at relatively high
mixed-liquor solid concentrations permits volumetric BOO loadings several times those used
in the traditional process. This type of aerator furnishes 2. 0 to 2, 5 lb. of oxygen per hp-hr.
Turbine surface aerators providing 2. 5 to 3. 0 lb. of oxygen per hp-hr. can be installed on
platforms or rafts in stabilization basins to supplement natural aeration and reduce the size
of the basin required, with or without solids recycle.
-- Public Health Engr. Abets.
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