Phenolic Wastewater Treatment Alternatives.

Abstract

The Air Force uses phenol compounds primarily in its paint stripping and carbon removal operations, the major portions of which are performed at the Air Logistics Centers (ALCs). Depending on the type operation, the spent phenol either enters the industrial/sanitary waste stream, or is removed and disposed of by a contractor. Several Air Force bases, particularly the ALCs, are experiencing difficulty in meeting increasingly stringent National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit standards for phenols. In addition, new regulations being promulgated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) will impact upon certain treatment and disposal practices. Therefore, the principal objective of this study is to determine the most cost-effective process(es) for the treatment and disposal of these wastes in accordance with existing and proposed environmental regulations. A literature review is conducted which examines the following systems/processes Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) adsorption, ozone oxidation, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, potassium permanganate oxidation, iron (VI) ferrate oxidation, catalytic oxidation, chlorine oxidation, chlorine dioxide oxidation, aeration, recovery, incineration, pyrolysis, landfilling, activated sludge, trickling filter and source control. The results of the cost analyses show that biological processes are by far the most cost-effective alternative for the treatment of paint stripping wastewater at the source. Biological systems are also the most cost-effective for treatment of phenolic wastewater at the industrial or sanitary wastewater treatment plant, closely followed by ozone oxidation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA088310

Entities

People

  • Robert G. Blum

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Catalytic Oxidation
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Cost Analysis
  • Ecology
  • Economic Analysis
  • Environmental Protection
  • Filters
  • Literature Surveys
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Separators
  • Waste Disposal Facilities
  • Waste Products

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Environmental Engineering.