(2010-08-23) Effective Effluent Treatment for a Better Environment

Solvay is a large Brussels-based international chemicals and pharmaceutical group wit

For a number of years Solvay Fluor has been developing products that are compatible with environmental concerns. One of these products is Solkane 365mfc, produced at their Tavoux facility. This is a fluorinated solution used in manufacturing thermal insulation foams or as a very high-performance solvent (optics, high-performance degreasing, high-precision cleaning, etc.). It is replacing harmful HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) in the manufacturing of thermal insulation foams, as Solkane 365mfc has no impact on the ozone layer.

Effluent treatment

Solkane 365mfc manufacturing wastes are treated and regulated by prefectural decree. In order to comply with the standards applicable to industrial wastes, Solvay Fluor has implemented effective aqueous effluent treatment facilities. The waste is routed to a treatment plant where volatile organic compounds are removed by steam stripping and precipitation of metallic salts, before the fluid is discharged.

Maintaining precise pH

Due to the effluent being strongly basic and hot (65 ºC) and containing fouling organic compounds, the difficult part in the treatment process is pH regulation. In order to allow effective elimination of the organic components and precipitation of salts, the pH must be adjusted to between 12.5 and 12.7. The fluid first has to be brought to the correct pH before it enters the stripping column. As the steam process alters pH, the value must again be adjusted to the correct value to enable precipitation of the metallic salts on the filters that follow.

The METTLER TOLEDO solution

Solvay Fluor turned to METTLER TOLDEDO for a cost-effective solution to pH regulation of effluent for the environmentally friendly products it manufactures. The pH solution offered by METTLER TOLEDO included a combination of its products: InTrac777 retractable housing, InPro4800 pH electrode, 2220X pH transmitter, and an EasyClean automatic cleaning system. A critical benefit of the solution was the electrode lifetime of up to six months.

The METTLER TOLEDO pH/temperature electrode is designed for the most rugged/demanding applications in the chemical industry. The electrode enables reliable measurements in oxidizing environments, solvents, strong acids or bases, and resists high pressures and temperatures. Additionally, the EasyClean automatic cleaning system is designed for easy integration in explosion-risk areas (ATEX II 2G).

Long electrode lifetime

In this process pH is an essential parameter and measurement is critical before discharge of the effluent or there is the risk of violating the standards. Solvay Fluor France has found the system recommended by METTLER TOLEDO to be more efficacious than competitors' systems. In fact, despite the presence of metallic salts at a concentration of almost 1 g/L and 10% nitric acid cleaning every 60 minutes, the InPro 4800 electrodes provide a service life of around 4 to 6 months.

About Us: METTLER TOLEDO specializes in the area of precision instruments for professional use. METTLER TOLEDO laboratory instruments are used in research, scientific, drug discovery, and quality control labs, amongst many others in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetics industries. METTLER TOLEDO comprehensive industrial solutions cover the various steps in a host of manufacturing processes at many of the same customers that laboratory serves. Solutions range from receiving raw materials through various manufacturing processes, in-line process control and end-of-line packaging control, to logistics and shipping. Increasingly, these solutions are fully integrated into the customer's IT environment, helping automate their workflows. In food retail, our offering for fresh food management ranges from receiving and pre-packaging, to in-store solutions for self-service departments, deli counters, and checkout terminals.

Contact Info: Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Im Langacher, Zip Code 8606
Greifensee, Switzerland
E-Mail : ePublicRelations@mt.com
Phone : +41-44-944 33 85
Website : www.mt.com

Additional:

Company: Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

Country: Switzerland

Contact: Marie-Louise Hupert

Website: www.mt.com

Bus E-Mail: ePublicRelations@mt.com

Phone: +41-44-944 33 85