Chemical Treatment of Metal Finishing Industrial Wastes and Wastewaters in the Presence of Chelating Substances

ABSTRACT: The Hill AFB Industrial Water Treatment Plant typically uses metal hydroxide precipitation to remove heavy metals from the waste stream. However, there are numerous chemicals found in common cleaners and other products in the wastewater that interfere with the precipitation process, rendering it useless and putting the base in a position of violating its water discharge permit limits. The only current method to avoid this is to segregate the wastewater and undertake expensive and potentially dangerous secondary treatment. Under the proposed Phase I SBIR program, METSS intends to investigate both commercial and newly developed treatment technologies to remove the heavy metals even when in the presence of these interfering chemicals. Many of the technologies have already been proven to one degree or another in civilian applications. This approach will involve commercial industrial support and thus, if fully successful, provide an effective path to provide the product to the Air Force. BENEFIT: A treatment technique that works in the presence of interfering chemicals will lessen the likelihood of non-compliance with wastewater permits. In addition to wastewater treatment, the results of the proposed program could impact other industries (e.g., oil and gas) where treatment of hevay metal laden waters is of significant concern.