TREATMENT OF HIGH-STRENGTH, COMPLEX AND TOXIC-CHEMICAL WASTE-WATER - END-OF PIPE BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY VS AN IN-PLANT CONTROL PROGRAM

A case study is presented, in which two approaches to the treatment of complex chemical wastewater are experimentally compared: an end-of-pi pe ''best available technology'' option and an in-plant source segrega tion program. Both options proved to be feasible. Application of the p owdered activated carbon treatment (PACT(TM)) process for the combined end-of-pipe stream yielded up to 93% reduction of dissolved organic c arbon, with complete toxicity elimination. In order to examine the pot ential for applying a conventional activated sludge process, a simplif ied laboratory screening procedure was devised, aimed at establishing baseline data of removability potential, defined either by biodegradat ion, activated carbon adsorption or volatilization. Using this procedu re, the major source of the non-biodegradable fraction in the combined park's wastewater was traced to a single factory, from which twelve i ndividual source streams were screened. The results allowed the divisi on of the tested sources into three groups: degradable, volatile, and problematic. A modified wastewater segregation and treatment program w as accordingly proposed, which should allow an efficient and environme ntally acceptable solution. This program is presently at its final tes ting stages, at the conclusion of which a full comparison between the two approaches will be carried out.