Removal of Oil and AFFF from Wastewater by Air-Sparged Hydrocyclone Technologies, Inc.

A rang of AF activities generate wastewater containing oily substances, emulsion=stabilizing agents, and insoluble materials, including Aqueous, Film-Forming Foam (AFFF). US AF is searching for a cost effective method to handle the problem. This problem in reality refers to two issues: a) removal of oil from wastewater and b) removal of AFFF from the wastewater. The AFFF is a fire-fighting foaming chemical. The wastewater containing residual oil, combustion products and AFFF can not be discharged into municipal sewer, due to the presence of considerable amounts of organic chemicals. Further, due to the presence of AFFF, uncontrollable foam will be generated on the subsequent processing of the sewage water which involves aeration and other processes. The research project is challenging task. Removal of oil and solvents from various streams is an extremely difficult task. Various technologies available today including bio-technologies can only offer for limited separation efficiency and a high equipment and processing cost. A novel technology, air-sparged hydrocyclone technology, for removing oil and AFFF from wastewater is proposed. This is a newly developed technology by Advanced Processing Technologies, Inc. and it may provide an excellent opportunity to solve the problem. The technology can perform oil and AFFF separation from wastewater in a matter of less than a second, as demonstrated by previous preliminary test work. The Phase I test program will consist of an exploratory series of flotation tests with 2-inch air-sparged hydrocyclone unit and other required associated analytical and surface chemistry studies.