Phenol Destruction

[CharlesAlbert]

I have a client who generates waste water from an aluminum die casting operation. The EPA limits onphenol in the wastewater discharge are VERY VERY low.

We are trying to find a commercially available process for essentailly total destruction of the PHENOL from streams that contain original levels of 1-9 ppm phenol but must reduce to close to "ND".

Chuck

chuck798081@aol.com

 

[cub3bead]

You might want to look at "Industrial Wastewater Treatment technology" by James W. Patterson. Chapter 20 is exclusively devoted to phenol treatment technology. My copy is of the 2nd edition. ISBN0-409-90002-8. Good luck.

 

[moltenmetal]

Phenol is easily destroyed by Fenton's reaction (oxidation by hydroxyl radicals formed from hydrogen peroxide by the action of dissolved Fe+2/Fe+3 catalyst at ~ pH 3). The system would be pretty simple (ie. a flowmeter, metering pumps for acid, peroxide solution, iron(+2) solution and base to neutralize, a stirred reaction tank and two pH controllers). Any of the peroxide vendors should be able to set you up with a system. You can also contact Calgon Carbon Oxidation Technologies or Hydroxyl Systems or other "advanced oxidation" water treatment companies. Treatment to any arbitrary "ND" level for phenol is possible.

 

[scorcher]

Phenols are easily digested in a standard bio plant to 0 levels. They are easily digested at these concentrations

 

[EGT01]

May want to consider a carbon adsorption system if it suits your needs.

http://www.epa.gov/OWM/mtb/carbon_absorption.pdf

Contact some of the GAC vendors.
Calgon is one that comes to mind.

http://www.calgoncarbon.com/products/activated/carbon_liquid.html

 

[aspearin1]

I'm with scorcher. Bioreduction. Get the right bacteria. You supply the food (phenol) and the bacteria take care of the rest.

ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee

 

[bimr]

I will also recommend the activated sludge process for the removal of phenol. I actually worked in a small chemical plant that made cumene peroxide. The plant wastewater contained phenol among other wastews and it was successfully treated with the activated sludge process. No special bugs were required to do it either.