WASTE MINIMIZATION

Wastewater Engineering
Mehrab Mehrvar, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Dept. of Chemical Engineering Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

REFERENCES
Industrial Water Pollution Control, by W. W. Eckenfelder, Jr., 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2000 ISBN: 0-07-039364-8

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

In-Plant Waste Control (Waste Minimization)

Usually preferable to identify & minimize wastewater generation at its source.

Identify source and strength of waste.

Requires detailed knowledge of the process.

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

In-Plant Waste Control (Waste Minimization) (Contd) Investigate minimization options: Recirculation / Reuse: water can be reused and recycled, small, specialized treatment @ source. Wastewater Segregation: Easy-to-treat Hard-to-treat Large volume dilute Small volume concentration All need specialized treatment systems. Disposal: Concentrated waste may be disposed. Reduction (reduce water usage) Substitution of higher toxic materials with lower toxic components .

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

Waste Minimization Approaches and Techniques (US EPA)

Inventory management and improved operations Inventory and trace all raw materials Purchase fewer toxic and more nontoxic production materials Implement employee training and management feedback Improve material receiving, storage, and handling practices Modification of equipment Install equipment that produces minimal or no waste Modify equipment to enhance recovery or recycling options Redesign equipment or production lines to produce less waste Improve operating efficiency of equipment Maintain strict preventive maintenance program

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

Waste Minimization Approaches and Techniques (US EPA) (Contd) Production process changes Substitutes non-hazardous for hazardous raw materials Segregate wastes by type for recovery Eliminate sources of leaks and spills Separate hazardous from non-hazardous wastes Redesign or reformulate end products to be less hazardous Optimize reactions and raw materials use Recycling and reuse Install closed-loop systems Recycle on site for reuse Recycle off site for reuse Exchange wastes

Waste Minimization

Wastewater Engineering

Waste Generation Monitoring Monitor on basis of: Volume per unit production (daily, weekly, monthly) e.g. brewery: m3 wastewater/hectoliter beer strength per unit production e.g. dairy: kg BOD/m3 milk processes identifies problems/changes in plant operation that have impact on waste generation troubleshooting plant optimization statistical control charts, etc. Provides data on variability, i.e., treatment process design and optimization
Waste Minimization Wastewater Engineering 7