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Disposal of tetramethyl ammonium chloride

Disposal of tetramethyl ammonium chloride

Disposal of tetramethyl ammonium chloride

(OP)
Has anyone had experience with treatment of TMAC to enable disposal to POTW?  The waste is soluble in water, with a pH of 7. The waste is generated in batches of approximately 500 gallons over an 8 hr time span, and sent to a holding tank.  TMAC concentration is approximately 5-6%.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

RE: Disposal of tetramethyl ammonium chloride

Before you dispose large quantities of this material (not sure how much you have) at a POTW you should check to make sure they can handle it without having a negative impact on their system.  This is a cationic surfactant, which can be used as a biocide.  If the POTW uses any bio treatment (activated sludge process, etc), introduction of a cationic material such as this may kill the bugs, or at least shock them badly.  Or, depending if they do any aeration (again, a bug process or air stripping, etc), the surfactant nature of this stuff may cause a lot of foaming, which can be a nuisance and even cause pumps to lose prime or cavitate.

To summarize: check w/ the POTW before you dispose this material.  You may have to investigate other disposal options.

RE: Disposal of tetramethyl ammonium chloride

(OP)
Thanks for your input.  We have already ahd some contact with the POTW.  They are a 10MGD plant, so 500 gallons isn't a big impact.  It's more a regulatory thing-the cost of hauling away as regulated waste is adding up.

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