Pilot testing of the technology for the treatment of industrial storm water of a steelworks

Summary

Purification of industrial storm water of a complex composition to the discharge standards for fishery water bodies is a very important, but hereby, a complex and expensive task. Choosing correctly the equipment and technological process flow scheme must be carried out at the first stage of the implementation of a comprehensive project. The treatment flow scheme must include the optimal technical and economic indicators, whereas the waste generated during the treatment process must be minimally toxic and subject to landfilling. Therefore, at the first stages of the project implementation, it is important not only to calculate the treatment flow scheme, but also to conduct pilot tests to confirm or confute its effectiveness. The paper shows the stages of testing two schemes and selecting the best option that meets the customer’s requirements. It should be noted that the greatest difficulties are associated with the requirement to remove heavy metals, namely copper: its concentration in the effluent should not exceed 0.001 mg/dm³. Also noteworthy is a high concentration of oil products – more than 6 mg/dm³. As a result of the pilot tests, a new technological flow scheme for the wastewater treatment was developed, providing indicators as close as possible to the required values.

Key words

flotation , heavy metals , dynamic softening system , industrial storm water , treatment facilities , mechanical filtration , carbon filter

Designing facilities for the treatment of industrial storm water of steelworks

Summary

In line with the environmental program being developed over many years to reduce the negative impact on water resources, the steelworks launched modern facilities for the treatment of industrial storm water of a complex composition. The greatest difficulties are associated with the presence of oil products and heavy metals in industrial storm water provided that the requirements for the removal of heavy metals are very stringent, primarily regarding the copper concentration, i.e. it should not exceed 0.001 mg/dm³ in the effluent. To estimate the efficiency of the existing treatment facilities and take measures for their upgrade, the experts of the steelworks carried out some research work to select the optimal equipment and technological treatment scheme. After the pilot tests, the previously proposed schemes were rejected and a new one was developed that should meet all the requirements. The newly designed facilities were put into constant operation with the required treatment efficiency achieved. For the first time a dynamic softening system (DSS) with columns 1800 mm in diameter was used on an industrial scale to remove heavy metals from wastewater.

Key words

cleansing , flotation , heavy metals , dynamic softening system , industrial storm water , treatment facilities , mechanical filtration , carbon filter