Sodium Hydroxide Recycling System
Abstract
The technology demonstrated under this Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) project proved the Vibratory Shear Enhanced Processing (VSEP) system effectively recycled alkaline solutions contaminated with oil and dirt during manufacturing cleaning of material. Benet Labs, Watervliet Arsenal Environmental Office, Pacific Northwest National Lab and New Logic International teamed to successfully demonstrate the use of VSEP to recycle hot alkaline cleaning solutions. High pH alkaline solutions are used at Watervliet Arsenal in bath tanks to clean metal parts prior to further processing and must be replaced every 6 to 8 weeks. The spent solution is disposed of as hazardous waste. The VSEP system offered a new dimension to membrane separation by imparting a shear force at the membrane surface to prevent fouling while maintaining high separation efficiency. Chemical testing verified that contaminates are removed while the active chemical cleaning elements were returned to the tank. This increased the alkaline bath life to 12 months with only small additions of new chemicals and water makeup to compensate for evaporative losses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA607422
Entities
People
- David Trevett
- John Askew
- Philip Darcy
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center