EQUIPMENT FOR POLLUTION CONTROL

CME366

UNIT – I POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

POLLUTANTS IN WATER AND WASTEWATER

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—

contaminate a

stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality and
rendering it toxic to humans or

the environment.

TYPE OF WATER IS BEING IMPACTED

Groundwater pollution

When rain falls and seeps deep into the earth, filling the cracks, crevices, and porous spaces
of an aquifer

(basically an underground storehouse of water), it becomes groundwater—one of our least

visible but most important

natural resources. Nearly 40 percent of indians rely on groundwater, pumped to the earth’s
surface, for drinking water.

Groundwater gets polluted when contaminants—from pesticides and fertilizers to waste

leached from landfills and

septic systems—make their way into an aquifer, rendering it unsafe for human use. Ridding
groundwater of
contaminants can be difficult to impossible, as well as costly. Once polluted, an aquifer may
be unusable for decades,

or even thousands of years. Groundwater can also spread contamination far from the
original polluting source as it

seeps into streams, lakes, and oceans.

Surface water pollution

Covering about 70 percent of the earth, surface water is what fills our oceans, lakes, rivers,
and all those

other blue bits on the world map. Surface water from freshwater sources. Environmental
Protection Agency, nearly

half of our rivers and streams and more than one-third of our lakes are polluted and unfit
for swimming, fishing, and

drinking. Nutrient pollution, which includes nitrates and phosphates, is the leading type of
contamination in these

freshwater sources. While plants and animals need these nutrients to grow, they have
become a major pollutant due

to farm waste and fertilizer runoff. Municipal and industrial waste discharges contribute
their fair share of toxins as

well. There’s also all the random junk that industry and individuals dump directly into
waterways.

Ocean water pollution

Eighty percent of ocean pollution (also called marine pollution) originates on land—
whether along the coast

or far inland. Contaminants such as chemicals, nutrients, and heavy metals are carried from
farms, factories, and

cities by streams and rivers into our bays and estuaries; from there they travel out to sea.
Meanwhile, marine
debris—particularly plastic—is blown in by the wind or washed in via storm drains and
sewers. Our seas are also

sometimes spoiled by oil spills and leaks—big and small—and are consistently soaking up
carbon pollution from the

air. The ocean absorbs as much as a quarter of man-made carbon emissions.

PREVENT WATER POLLUTION

Reduce your plastic consumption and reuse or recycle plastic when you can.

Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and nonbiodegradable items to keep them from
going down the

drain.

 Maintain your car so it doesn’t leak oil, antifreeze, or coolant.

If you have a yard, consider landscaping that reduces runoff and avoid applying pesticides
and herbicides.
Don’t flush your old medications! Dispose of them in the trash to prevent them from
entering local

waterways.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID WASTES AND HAZARDOUS WASTES

• Corrosive: These are wastes that include acids or bases that are capable of corroding
mental containers, e.g. tanks

Corrosive substances have the ability to eat through containers which can cause leakage of
harmful

materials. A corrosive liquid has a pH of less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to
12.5, or has

the ability to corrode steel. Some examples of corrosive materials includes hydrochloric
acid and nitric

acid.

 Ignitability: This is waste that can create fires under certain condition, e.g. waste oils and
solvents.

Liquids with a flash point–the lowest temperature at which fumes above waste ignite–of 60

degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Solids that spontaneously combust.

Oxidizers and compressed gasses.

 Reactive: These are unstable in nature, they cause explosions, toxic fumes when heated.

Unstable, and routinely experiences violent change without detonating.

Potential for explosive mixture or violent reaction when combined with water.

Toxic gasses are released when mixed with water.

 Toxicity: Waste which are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorb.

Our groundwater can be in great danger when poisonous materials pose a threat. The toxic
materials can

have long term effects on human health and the environment.

INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATIONS:

1. THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT,1986

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 authorizes the central government to protect and
improve

environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or
restrict the setting and /or

operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds. The Environment

(Protection) Act was enacted in 1986

with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment.

The Environment (Protection) Rules lay down procedures for setting standards of emission
or discharge of

environmental pollutants.

2. THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT 2002 AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY RULES

The Biological Diversity Act 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules provide for the
conservation of biological

diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits
arising out of the use of

biological resources and knowledge associated with it.

3. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRIBUNAL ACT,1995, AMENDMENT 2010

The Act has been created to award compensation for damages to persons, property, and the
environment

arising from any activity involving hazardous substances.

It aims at enforcing all the legal rights relating to the environment.

It also accounts for providing compensation and relief to effected people for damage of
property.

4. NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL ACT, 2010: Under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010
for effective and

expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of

forests and other natural

resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief
and compensation for

damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental
thereto.

5. THE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES, 2000

The Rules apply to every municipal authority responsible for the collection, segregation,
storage, transportation,

processing, and disposal of municipal solid wastes.

6. THE OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (REGULATION AND CONTROL) RULES, 2000

The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 have been laid down
for the regulation of

production and consumption of ozone depleting substances.

WATER ACT (1974)

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the
prevention and

control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water
in the country.

The Act was amended in 1988. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act
was enacted in

1977, to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons
operating and carrying on

certain types of industrial activities.

This cess is collected with a view to augment the resources of the Central Board and the
State Boards for

the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act,

1974. The Act was last amended in 2003.

AIR ACT (1981)

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981 and amended in
1987 to provide for

the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in India.

The effects of climate change caused by all forms of pollution became all too apparent in the
early 1970s.

To mitigate their harmful effects it was believed that nations would need to pass their own
laws.
Thus during the United Nations General Assembly on Human Environment held in
Stockholm in June 1972, a

resolution was passed which implored the nations of the world to preserve natural
resources such as air.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (1986)

The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for
the protection and

improvement of the environment.

It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities [under section 3(3)] charged
with the mandate

of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental
problems that are peculiar

to different parts of the country. The Act was last amended in 1991.

Aims and Objectives of the Environment Protection Act

The chief aims and objectives of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 are listed below.

1.

Implementing the decisions made at the United Nations Conference on Human Environment
held in

Stockholm.
2. Creation of a government authority to regulate industry that can issue direct orders
including closure orders.

3. Coordinating activities of different agencies that are operating under the existing laws.

4.

Enacting regular laws for the protection of the environment.

5.

Imposing punishments and penalties on those who endanger the environment, safety and
health. For each

failure or contravention, the punishment includes a prison term of up to five years or a fine
of up to Rs. 1

lakh, or both. This can also be extended for up to seven years in cases.

Engaging in the sustainable development of the environment.

6.

7. Attaining protection of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

MAIN PROVISIONS OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT




Under the law, it can coordinate and execute nationwide programmes and plans to further
environmental

protection.

It can mandate environmental quality standards, particularly those concerning the emission
or discharge of

environmental pollutants.

This law can impose restrictions on the location of industries.

The law gives the government the power of entry for examination, testing of equipment and
other purposes

and power to analyse the sample of air, water, soil or any other substance from any place.

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES

Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000 (MSW Rules) are applicable
to every

municipal authority responsible for collection, segregation, storage, transportation,

processing and disposal of

municipal solid.

THE RULE CONTAINS FOUR SCHEDULES NAME

Schedules

Matter

Schedule-I
Relates to implementation Schedule

Schedule-II

Schedule-III

Specifications relating to collection, segregation, storage, transportation,

processing and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW).

Specifications for landfilling indicating; site selection, facilities at the site,

specifications for landfilling, Pollution prevention, water quality monitoring,

ambient air quality monitoring, Plantation at landfill site, closure of landfill

site and post care.

Schedule-IV

Indicate waste processing options including; standards for composting,

treated leachates and incinerations.

BIO MEDICAL WASTES (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES:

Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998 were notified by the Ministry of
Environment &

Forests (MoEF) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Central Government published the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. These rules
apply to all

persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose, or handle bio medical
waste in any form

including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary institutions, animal

houses, pathological

laboratories, blood banks, ayush hospitals, clinical establishments, research or educational

institutions, health camps,

medical or surgical camps, vaccination camps, blood donation camps, first aid rooms of
schools, forensic

laboratories and research labs.

STEPS INVOLVED IN BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

First five steps (Segregation, Collection, pre-treatment, Intramural Transportation and

Storage) is the exclusive

responsibility of Health Care Facility. While Treatment and Disposal is primarily

responsibility of CBWTF operator

except for lab and highly infectious waste, which is required to be pre-treated by the HCF.
Following are the

responsibility of HCF for management and handling of bio-medical waste:

1. Biomedical Waste should be segregated at the point of generation by the person who is
generating the waste in

designated colour coded bin/ container.

2. Biomedical Waste & General Waste shall not be mixed. Biomedical Waste & General
Waste shall not be mixed.
Storage time of waste should be as less as possible so that waste storage, transportation and
disposal is done

within 48 hours.

3. Phase out use of chlorinated plastic bags (excluding blood bags) and gloves by
27/3/2019.

4. No secondary handling or pilferage of waste shall be done at healthcare facility. If CBWTF

facility is available at a

distance of 75 km from the HCF, bio-medical waste should be treated and disposed only
through such CBWTF

operator.

5. Only Laboratory and Highly infectious waste shall be pre-treated onsite before sending
for final treatment or

disposal through a CBWTF Operator.

6. Provide bar-code labels on all colour coded bags or containers containing segregated bio-
medical waste before

such waste goes for final disposal through a CBWTF.

HAZARDOUS WASTES (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING RULES):

Hazardous Waste Management Rules are notified to ensure safe handling , generation,
processing,

transportation, use reprocessing, collection, conversion, and offering for sale,

treatment, package, storage,

destruction and disposal of Hazardous Waste.

These Rules came into effect in the year 1989 and have been amended later in the years
2000, 2003 and

with final notification of the Hazardous Waste ( Management, Handling and Transboundary
Movement) Rules, 2008

in supersession of former notification.

The Rules lay down corresponding duties of various authorities such as MoEF, CPCB,
State/UT Govts.,

SPCBs/PCCs, DGFT, Port Authority and Custom Authority while State Pollution Control
Boards/ Pollution Control

Committees have been designated with wider responsibilities touching across almost every
aspect of Hazardous

wastes generation, handing and their disposal.

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOTIFICATIONS

It is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or

development, taking

into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural, and human-health impacts, both

beneficial and adverse. EIA is a

tool used to assess the positive and negative environmental, economic, and social impacts of
a project. This is used

to predict the environmental impacts of a project in the pre-planning stage itself so that
decisions can be taken to

reduce the adverse impacts.

Objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment



Identifying, predicting, and evaluating economic, environmental, and social

activities.

impacts of development

Providing information on the environmental consequences for decision making.

Promoting environmentally sound and suitable development by identifying appropriate

alternatives and

mitigation measures.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process

The table below will mention the EIA Process in brief:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process

Process

Details in Brief
Screening

Scoping

Assessment & Evaluation of

Impacts and Development of

Alternatives

EIA Report also called

Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)

Which projects need a full or partial assessment study is decided in this stage

 Which impacts are necessary to be assessed is decided in this stage. While doing

so, legal requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge, and public

engagement are also considered.

Alternative solutions that avoid or at least reduce the adverse impacts of the

project are also studied in this stage

Investigation of alternate designs or sites that avoid or mitigate impact takes place

Environmental impacts of the proposed project are analyzed and light is thrown upon the

alternatives present to such projects

An environmental management plan (EMP) and also a non-technical summary of the

project’s impact is prepared for the general public in this stage

Decision Making

The fate of the project is decided. Whether the project is to be given approval or not and if it

is to be given, under what conditions

Monitoring, compliance,

enforcement and environmental

auditing

Monitoring whether the predicted impacts and the mitigation efforts happen as per the EMP

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

EIA is a good tool for prudent environment management.

It is government-policy that any industrial project in India has to secure EIA clearance from
the Environment

Ministry before approval for the project itself.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN INDIA

EIA started in India in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission directed the Department of
Science &

Technology to assess the river valley projects from the point of view of the environment.
This was extended for all

those projects that required approval from the Public Investment Board.

Then, in 1986, the government enacted the Environment (Protec

tion) Act which made EIA statutory. The

other main laws in this regard are the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), the Water Act
(1974), the Air (Prevention

and Control of Pollution) Act (1981), and the Biological Diversity Act (2002).

UNIT OPERATIONS AND UNIT PROCESSES IN POLLUTION

CONTROL :

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT:

Industrialisation is on the increase and so is the environmental pollution due to emissions

and

waste generated from these industries. The industrial pollution due to its nature has
potential to cause
irreversible reactions in the environment and hence is posing a major threat to sustainable
development.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has decided to build up the tool of
environmental

planning, in phases for the protection of the environment. The most immediate need is to
properly site

industries so as to reduce the risks of pollution and to protect the environment. There is
also a need to

simplify and support decision-making process on site clearance for locating an industry

The Industry

For location of an industry, economic factors, such as availability of raw materials, water
supply,

electricity, labour etc., and the environmental factors are to be considered. Although
industry knows the

best suitable location from economic considerations,

it may not be aware of its implications from

environmental protection angle. From the Zoning Atlas, an industry can find out the suitable
locations in

various Districts of a State and then work out feasibility or economic viability of
commencing its

operations in these locations. Accordingly, a decision can be taken on the best suitable
location.

Decision on the suitability of an industry to a particular site without losing much time in

conducting of environmental impact assessment;

Notification of site specific standards ;

Provision of common pollution treatment and disposal facilities ;

Plan well in advance pollution monitoring and control programmes ; and

Plan in advance requirements of manpower, monitoring instruments and laboratory

facilities,

in the Regional/Zonal offices of the State Pollution Control Boards for environmental

budget etc.

regulations.

UNIT 2

EQUIPMENT FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND DESIGN CRITERIA OF FLASH MIXERS:

WASTEWATER TREATMENT:

The chemical-physical treatment is part of the process and is divided into various
mechanical, physical, and

chemical stages:




flash mixing

coagulation

flocculation

Flash Mixing, Coagulation, and Flocculation

Flash Mixing, Coagulation, and Flocculation are essential for treating industrial and
municipal

wastewater, which may contain colloidal solids, e.g., particles that are too small or light to
filter and

eliminate. Flash mixing, coagulation, and flocculation are crucial for promoting
sedimentation and

agglomeration in larger particles.

Flash Mixing and Coagulation in water treatment

The flash (or rapid) mixing and coagulation stages consist in adding chemicals to raw water
to

foster coagulation while attracting particles that doesn’t settle or cannot be

filtered. Coagulants, such as
ferric chloride (FeCl3), PAC (poly aluminium chloride Al2Cl(OH)5), aluminium sulphate
(Al2(SO4)3), attract

these particles, so it will be easier to agglomerate them during flocculation.

The duration of the flash mixing and coagulation stages determines the quality of the whole

process. For example, a short retention time won’t allow the homogeneous distribution of
the chemicals

within the basin, making the reaction unsuccessful. Therefore, the residence and contact
time must be

calculated accurately, considering the main parameters, such as the basin’s volume and the
water’s flow

rate.

Vertical agitators are the only solution possible at this stage (as well as during the
flocculation

stage) as they cannot be combined with other agitation solutions like submersible mixers.
Our vertical

agitators are efficient during the flash mixing and coagulation stages as they quickly and
thoroughly

agitate the chemicals in raw water before releasing them into the flocculation chamber.
FLOCCULATION IN WATER TREATMENT

Flocculation takes place after the flash mixing and coagulation stages. During this stage, the

particles removed from the water are taken to larger agglomerations, called flocs. This way,
they can

settle down in the sedimentation chamber and be separated by the water conveyed to the
drain. This step

is possible thanks to the reaction with a polymeric solution, which acts as a flocculant agent,
such as

polyelectrolytes or polyamines.

Flocculation agitators must be engineered carefully to ensure effective flocculation, which

must

take as little time as possible, consume as little energy and chemicals as possible, and
ensure high-

quality output water. As with flash mixing and coagulation, the agitator’s design is a crucial
point.

Flocculation needs effective and homogeneous agitation to promote floc formation and
contact.

Moreover, it must be gentle to prevent the flocs from breaking. That’s why maximising the
impeller’s flow
rate while minimising the shear speed is so important.

CLARIFIERS

Clarifiers are settling tanks built with mechanical means for continuous removal of solids
being

deposited by sedimentation. A clarifier is generally used to remove solid particulates or

suspended solids

from liquid for clarification and (or) thickening.

Concentrated impurities, discharged from the bottom of the tank are known as sludge, while
the

particles that float to the surface of the liquid are called scum.

TECHNOLOGY

Although sedimentation might occur in tanks of other shapes, removal of accumulated

solids is

easiest with conveyor belts in rectangular tanks or with scrapers rotating around the
central axis of

circular tanks.

Mechanical solids removal devices move as slowly as practical to minimize resuspension of

settled solids. Tanks are sized to give water an optimal residence time within the tank.
Economy favors
using small tanks; but if flow rate through the tank is too high, most particles will not have
sufficient time

to settle, and will be carried with the treated water.

Considerable attention is focused on reducing water inlet and outlet velocities to minimize

turbulence and promote effective settling throughout available tank volume.

Baffles are used to prevent fluid velocities at the tank entrance from extending into the
tank; and

overflow weirs are used to uniformly distribute flow from liquid leaving the tank over a
wide area of the

surface to minimize resuspension of settling particles.

APPLICATIONS

[Link] water treatment

By conducting coagulation and flocculation processes to cause finely suspended particles to

clump together and form larger and denser particles that settle more quickly and stably,
prior to the

sedimentation process in the clarifier, allows the separation of particles in the clarifier to
occur more

efficiently and easily – aiding in the conservation of energy.

Isolating the particle components first using these processes may reduce the volume of

downstream water treatment processes like filtration. Sedimentation in potable water

treatment generally
follows a step of chemical coagulation and flocculation, which allows grouping particles
together into

flocs of a bigger size.

This increases the settling speed of suspended solids and allows settling colloids.

Polyelectrolytes and ferric sulfate cause fine and suspended particles in the water to clump
together.

Water may be treated with these coagulant chemicals prior to entering the clarifier. After
coagulation,

flocculation by large mechanical paddles allow the coagulate to form denser particles that
settle more

easily. The water is then sent to the clarifier where separation of clarified water from the
flocculated

coagulate occurs by permitting the heavier and larger particles to settle to the bottom of the
clarifier. The

particles then form a layer of sludge requiring regular removal and disposal. Clarified water
may then be

passed through granular filters to remove any residual particles remaining in the water.
Filtered water

then flows to a pumping station for storage and use.

Waste water treatment

Sedimentation tanks have been used to treat wastewater for millennia. Primary treatment
of

sewage is removal of floating and settleable solids through sedimentation. Primary clarifiers
reduce the

content of suspended solids and pollutants embedded in those suspended solids.

Because of the large amount of reagent necessary to treat domestic wastewater,
preliminary

chemical coagulation and flocculation are generally not used, remaining suspended solids
being reduced

by following stages of the system.

However, coagulation and flocculation can be used for building a compact treatment plant
(also

called a “package treatment plant“), or for further polishing of the treated water.
Sedimentation tanks

called secondary clarifiers remove flocs of biological growth created in some methods of
secondary

treatment including activated sludge, trickling filters and rotating biological contactors.

Mining

Methods used to treat suspended solids in mining wastewater include sedimentation and
floc blanket

clarification and filtration.

SAND FILTERS:

The process of passing the water through the beds of granular materials (filters) known as
filtration.

Purpose of filtration :

(i) To remove very fine suspended and colloidal particles that do not settle in th
sedimentation process.
(ii) To remove dissolved impurities in water.

(iii) To remove pathogenic bacteria from [Link] (iv) To remove colour, odour, turbidity in
water.

Types of filters:

(i) Slow sand filters

(ii) Rapid sand filters

(iii) Pressure filter

Theory of filtration:

During filtration, the following actions take place:

(i) Mechanical straining

(ii) Sedimentation

(iii) Biological action

(iv) Electrolytic action

(i) Mechanical straining (for coarser particles)

When water passes through the filter media (sand), the suspended particles larger than the
pore-space of

the filter media get trapped and removed. The trapped particles form a mat on the filter
media and help in

straining more impurities.

(ii) Sedimentation (for finer particles)

The voids of the filter media acts as small sedimentation tanks and fine particles giare
removed by

settling.

(iii) Biological action

Certain microorganisms and bacteria present in the voids of filters form coatings over the
sand grains.

These organisms utilize the organic impurities in water as their food and convert them into
harmless

compounds by biological metabolism. They form a layer on the filter media called
"schmutzdecke or dirty

skin". This layer further helps in absorbing and straining out the impurities in water
.

(iv) Electrolytic changes (Ionisation)

The sand grains of filter media and impurities in water are oppositely charged. When the
impurities come

in contact with the sand grains, their charges get neutralised and changes the
characteristics of water

making it purer. After certain period of time, the charge of sand grains gets exhausted and
should be

restored by ge of s din cleaning the filters.

Filter Media:

Sand (fine or coarse) is generally used as filter media and supported on gravel.

(i) Sand:

The properties of filter sand are :

• It should be obtained from hard and resistant quartz or quartzite.

• Free from dirt and other impurities.

• It should not loose more than 5% of its weight when placed in hydrochloric acid (HCI) for
24 hrs.

• Specific gravity = 2.55 to 2.65

• Effective size (a) 0.2 to 0.4 mm - slow sand filters.

(b) 0.35 to 0.55 mm – rapid sand filters..

• Uniformity co-efficient

(a) 1.8 to 2.5 - slow sand filters

(b) 1.3 to 1.7 - rapid sand filters

The uniformity characteristics of sand are expressed in terms of

(a) effective size (b) Uniformity coefficient.

Effective size or diameter (D10) represents a size of sieve in mm, throuth which 10% of the
particles will

pass i.e.,are finer than this size. Similarly, D60 size represent a size such that 60% particles
are finer than it.
Uniformity coefficient (Cu) is a measure of the particle range i.e. variations in size of
particles.

(ii) Anthracite - Crushed anthracite can be used as filter media separately or combined with
sand (mixed

media). It is costly than sand.

(iii) Garnet sand - It has high specific gravity (4.2) and is a dense material. Due to high cost,
it cannot be

used as a sole filter material. However, it can be used in mixed-media 30 so filter.

ADSORPTION COLUMNS:

Our In-Line Adsorption Columns remove moisture, oil and impurities from gases before

analysis. They are a simple, cost effective solution for the adsorption of various chemicals

within a gaseous stream. The housings come complete, ready to install, with the adsorbent
of

your choice included. Adsorbents work by contact time. The longer the gas is in contact with
the

specific contaminant, the better the performance. Flow rates should be kept to a minimum.

FEATURES

 Maximum Temperature 125ºF



Replaceable Adsorbents

5 Micron Filter Pads Included

Full Contact with Adsorbent

Acrylic Construction and Aluminum Construction Available

Functional Mini-Dryers

APPLICATIONS

 High Volume




Eliminate Ghost Peaks

Improve Baseline Readings

 Gas Purifiers

Prevent "Freeze Outs"

DESIGN

The units come complete with filter pads and stainless steel loaded compression spring to
ensure

the gas stream passes through the entire chamber versus “channeling” a single path.
Knurled end caps

make service quick and easy.

Note: Units are completely filled, and thus the spring is not normally visible. Directional
flow arrows are

attached for proper installation.

LOOSE ADSORBENTS

FEATURES


Purchase Only the Quantity Needed

In Stock for Immediate Delivery

Re-Sealable Containers

Refill Housings with Exact Amount Needed – No Waste

APPLICATIONS


Ideal for Lab Projects

Test Adsorbents Capabilities

Refill Holders

Beta Tests

AERATORS

AERATORS OF FLASH MIXERS

• It is an important unit operation of gas transfer.

• In this process, water is brought in intimate contact with air, so as to absorb oxygen and to
remove

carbon dioxide gas.

Objectives of aeration are:

(i) It removes tastes and odours caused by gases due to organic decomposition.

(ii) It increases the dissolved oxygen in water.

(iii) It removes the hydrogen sulphide and odour produced.

(iv) It decreases carbondioxide of water thereby reduces its corrosiveness and raises its pH
value.

Types of Aerators :

1. Spray Nozzles: In this method, water is sprinkled in air or atmosphere through special
nozzles which

breaks the water into droplets, thus permitting the escape of dissolved gases. It requires
considerable

head of water (0.75 to 1.5 kg/cm2) required for the working of nozzles. The nozzles
function efficiently at

a pressure of 10 to 14 m head of water. The carbon dioxide gas is removed upto 90%.

[Link]: It is the simplest form of gravity or free fall aerator. Weirs and waterfalls
of any kind

are cascade aerators. A simple cascade consists of a series of three or ten steps of concrete
or metal.

Water is made to fall through a certain height (1 to 3m) over a series of steps, and due to
this it comes

into close contact with air (atmospheric oxygen). These aerators take large quantities of
water in a

comparatively small area at low head. They are simple and easily cleaned. They are made of
robust and

durable materials with a long life. The plates are made of cast iron, RCC, timber or glass. The
aerators are
preferably installed in open air, or may be in a room which has plenty of louvered air inlets.
The cascade

aerators are efficient in raising dissolved oxygen content of water, but CO, removal is only in
the range of

60 to 70%.

3. Air diffusion: In this method, perforated pipe network is installed at the bottom of the
aeration tank,

and compressed air is blown through these pipes. The vino compressed air is bubbled up
from the

bottom of the tank. As the air bubbles olqu bovou travel upward, it gets thoroughly mixed
up with the

water in the tank, thus causing aeration. Air diffuser basins have a retention period of about
15 minutes

and a depth of 3 to 5 metres.

[Link](Gravelbedaerators): In this method, the water is allowed to trickle down

the beds of

coke, limestone or anthracite supported over the perforated bottomed trays, arranged
vertically in series.
Generally, three beds are used, the depth of each being about 0.6m with a clear distance of
about 0.45m

inbetween. The water is applied from the top through perforated distribution pipes and
allowed to trickle

down, up to the bottom bed. During this downward motion, the water gets mixed up with
air, and aeration

takes place. The size of the coke used ranges between 50 to 75mm. This method is better
than cascades,

but less effective than spray nozzles. This method is more efficient in CO, removal than
other methods.

[Link]: In this type of aerator, water is allowed to fall along

an inclined

plane or apron which is usually studded with riffle plates in herring bone fashion. The
breaking up of the

sheet of water will cause agitation of water.

Limitations of Aeration :

(i) It is not an efficient method of removal or reduction of tastes and odours caused by
chemical released

from industrial wastes.

(ii) Aeration may add more oxygen in water making it more corrosive and may necessiate
de-aeration.

DISTILLATION

Distillation units, or stills, generally consist of a boiling chamber, where the water enters, is
heated and

vaporized; condensing coils or chamber, where the water is cooled and converted back to
liquid water;

and a storage tank for purified water.

Some units have columns or volatile gas vents to eliminate organic chemicals with boiling
points lower

than water, thus ensuring uncontaminated water.

Operation, Maintenance and Cost

As with all home water treatment systems, distillation units require some level of regular

maintenance to keep the unit operating properly. Uneva- porated pollutants left in the
boiling chamber

need to be regularly flushed to the septic or sewer system. Even with regular removal of the
residual

water containing unevaporated pollutants, a calcium and magnesium scale will collect at the
bottom of

the boiling chamber. The scale eventually needs to be removed, usually by hand scrubbing
or by using

acid.
Heating water to form steam requires energy. Which means the operating costs for
distillation units are

generally higher than those for other home water treatments. The production of heat from
home

distillation units can be an advantage in winter, but a disadvantage in summer.

CENTRIFUGAL AND RECIPROCATING PUMPS

Reciprocating Pump

A reciprocating pump is a type of positive displacement pump that uses a piston or plunger
to generate

fluid flow. It operates by the reciprocating motion of the piston or plunger within a cylinder.
As the piston

moves back and forth, it creates alternating suction and discharge strokes, resulting in the
transfer of

fluid.

The design of reciprocating pumps allows for precise control over the flow rate by adjusting
the stroke

length or the speed of operation. They can also handle a wide range of fluids, including
corrosive or

abrasive substances, making them versatile in various applications.

However, reciprocating pumps tend to have more complex mechanical components and
require regular

maintenance due to the reciprocating motion, which can result in higher wear and tear.
Proper lubrication

and monitoring of operating conditions are crucial to ensure optimal performance and
longevity.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

o A centrifugal pump is a type of dynamic pump that uses an impeller to create fluid flow by

It operates based on the principle of

converting rotational energy into kinetic energy.

centrifugal force, where the fluid is drawn into the pump through an inlet and accelerated
by

the rotating impeller. The kinetic energy of the fluid is then converted into pressure energy
as

it exits the pump through a discharge outlet.

o Centrifugal pumps are widely used in various industries and applications due to their

simplicity, efficiency, and ability to handle large flow rates. They are commonly found in

water supply systems, wastewater treatment plants, different types of irrigation in India,

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, and industrial processes.

ADVANTAGES

o Can be used for large discharges.

o Have a simple design, which leads to ease of installation, maintenance, and operation.

o They have fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance requirements and reduced

risk of mechanical failure.

DISADVANTAGES
o They cannot be used for discharging at high heads.

Lower efficiency compared to reciprocating pumps.

Limited ability to handle high-viscosity fluids.

CHEMICAL DOSING SYSTEM

Chemical dosing system is a complete set of equipment with dosing, mixing, transporting
liquid

and automatic control. It is also called chemical feed system or dosing machine.

It is used for raw water of power plant, boiler feed water, oil field ground gathering and

transportation dehydration treatment system, petrochemical dosing system and

wastewater treatment

system.

Fluid Systems offers Chemical handling and Dosing Systems for dosing Coagulants like Lime.

Ferrous Sulfate, PAC, Alum and Feed Conditioning chemicals like Anti-scalant, Antioxidant,
Membrane

cleaners etc. Dosing systems are Skid mounted, compact and rugged, engineered to handle
and work

efficiently under highly corrosive and varying conditions.

The areas of application include

Raw Water Treatment

 Waste Water Treatment

Reverse Osmosis

Ultra Filtration

Cooling Water Treatment

Boiler Feed Treatment

Chemical dosing system is designed to automatically inject chemicals into the chemical feed
tank for

wastewater treatment. During the dosing process, chemicals are added to the water stream
at precisely

controlled rates by chemical metering pumps.

TYPES OF APPLICATIONS FOR CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEMS

Municipal water: disinfection systems, sodium hypochlorite, pH adjustment, fluoride

addition

Municipal wastewater: fume scrubbers, general odor control, pH adjustment, residual

disinfectant

management, drug sterilization

Food and beverage: in-situ cleaning, off-line cleaning, disinfectant water treatment
Institutional: cooling tower waste treatment, boiler water treatment, closed-loop systems

Other applications: swimming pools and water parks, mining and agriculture, utilities and
dairy industries,

pulp and paper, oil and gas operations, crude oil processing

COMPONENTS USED TO BUILD A CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM

The components used in chemical metering systems play an important role in allowing
operators to

adjust flow, pressure and calibration for repeatable performance. We design and
manufacture

customizable chemical metering systems.

Chemical feed systems are usually supplied as complete, fully integrated units already
mounted on skids,

or components can be purchased separately. The main components of such systems are:

Chemical storage tanks

Volume pumps

Piping

Process control panel. In addition to on/off control, the control panel includes overload
protection:
temperature, flow, level and pressure sensors, variable speed control and status lights.

1/2″ thick HDPE construction

 Wall mounted and floor mounted skid mounted construction

Visual flow indication

Containment basin with drip ring

Piping labeled with chemical name and flow direction

Containment drain with manual ball valve

Calibrated column size for at least 30 seconds

Clear PVC Y-strainer

UNIT 3

EQUIPMENT FOR AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND DESIGN CRITERIA OF CYCLONE SEPARATORS

INTRODUCTION
Cyclonic separation is a means of separating different liquid phases (different liquid
densities), or,

separating particles from a gas stream. Cyclone separators often form part of a pre-cleaning
stage prior

to a gas or liquid being discharged. This article focuses on the gas cyclone separator.

A cyclone separator has several colloquial names. These names include ‘dust separator’,
‘dust collector’,

‘dust extractor’, ‘cyclone extractor’ and ‘cyclone separator’. Generally, smaller units are
referred to as ‘dust’

separators or extractors, whilst large scale industrial separators are referred to as ‘cyclone
separators’.

Gas Cyclone and Hydrocyclone

There are two main designs of cyclone separator, these are the gas
cyclone and hydrocyclone.

Gas cyclones are used to remove entrained particles from a gas stream.

Hydrocyclones are used for separating fluids of different densities.

Typical Gas Cyclone Installation

Cyclone separators can be installed as single units, or in multiples, known as multi-cyclones.

It is also

possible to install cyclones in series, or, in parallel.

Separators can be installed with a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Gas Cyclone Separators

Gas cyclone separators are grouped into two main categories, reverse-flow and axial-flow.

Reverse flow cyclone separators are cone shaped. Gas enters the top of the separator body,
flows

downwards, then flows back upwards and is discharged.

Various reverse flow cyclone separator designs exist. Below is another variation of the
reverse flow

cyclone.

Reverse Flow Cyclone Separator With Swirl Generator

For axial flow (a.k.a. straight through) cyclone separators, gas enters at one end and is
discharged at the

opposite end. Axial flow separators are not as common as reverse flow separators.

Axial Flow Cyclone

Efficiency

This article will focus on the reverse flow gas cyclone separator because this type of
separator is the

most common in use today. We will refer to the term collection efficiency, or simply
‘efficiency’
throughout the article. The collection efficiency -also known as the capture or recovery
rate- is a

measurement of a cyclone’s ability to separate particles from the flowing gas stream.
Because particles

have different sizes, the efficiency rating is usually given for varying particle sizes.

Cut Point

The volumetric flow rate and geometry of the cyclone separator define the cut point. The cut
point is the

point at which particles are removed from the gas stream at 50% efficiency. This
measurement is an

industry standard measurement and can usually be obtained from the original equipment
manufacturer

(OEM).

Components and Design

A reverse flow cyclone separator is an industrial assembly with no moving parts and a
simple design.

The main cylindrical part of the cyclone separator is known as the body or barrel. The
gradually narrowing

conical section is known as the cone.

Un-treated gas enters tangentially through the inlet at the side of the separator. Entrained
particles within

the gas stream are separated from the gas stream and discharged through the reject port at
the base of
the separator. Cleaned gas exits through the accept port at the top of the separator.

Cyclone Separator With Labels

2. GRAVITY SETTLERS

The gravity settling chamber is probably the simplest and earliest type of dust collection

equipment, consisting of a chamber in which the gas velocity is reduced to enable dust to
settle

out by the action of gravity.

The Figure showed an example of a gravity settler. Its cross-sectional area is much larger
than

that of the duct approaching it or leading the gas away from it, so that the gas velocity inside
is

much lower than in either of those 2 ducts. Baffles of some kind are used to spread the

incoming flow evenly across the settling chamber. Without the baffles most of the flow will
go

through the middle and poor particle collection will result.

The basic characteristics include:

very low energy cost

low maintenance cost

low installed cost

excellent reliability

Its use, however, is limited to the removal of large particles (larger than 43-lm diameter). Its

collection efficiency can be classified as low to very low. To separate smaller particles would

require excessive horizontal flow distances, which would lead to excessive chamber
volumes. It

is an unsophisticated device that must be cleaned manually at regular intervals. Gravity

settlers

have little practical industrial use in pollution control because they are ineffective for small

particles.

WET SCRUBBERS

The term wet scrubber describes a variety of devices that remove pollutants from a furnace
flue gas or

from other gas streams. In a wet scrubber, the polluted gas stream is brought into contact
with the

scrubbing liquid, by spraying it with the liquid, by forcing it through a pool of liquid, or by
some other

contact method, so as to remove the pollutants.

DESIGN

The design of wet scrubbers or any air pollution control device depends on the industrial
process

conditions and the nature of the air pollutants involved. Inlet gas characteristics and dust
properties
(if particles are present) are of primary importance.

Scrubbers can be designed to collect particulate matter and/or gaseous pollutants. The
versatility

of wet scrubbers allow them to be built in numerous configurations, all designed to provide
good

contact between the liquid and polluted gas stream.

Wet scrubbers remove dust particles by capturing them in liquid droplets. The droplets are
then

collected, the liquid dissolving or absorbing the pollutant gases.

Any droplets that are in the scrubber inlet gas must be separated from the outlet gas stream
by

means of another device referred to as a mist eliminator or entrainment separator (these

terms are

interchangeable). Also, the resultant scrubbing liquid must be treated prior to any ultimate
discharge

or being reused in the plant.

A wet scrubber's ability to collect small particles is often directly proportional to the power
input into

the scrubber. Low energy devices such as spray towers are used to collect particles larger
than 5

micrometers. To obtain high efficiency removal of 1 micrometer (or less) particles generally
requires

high-energy devices such as venturi scrubbers or augmented devices such as condensation

scrubbers.
Additionally, a properly designed and operated entrainment separator or mist eliminator is
important

to achieve high removal efficiencies. The greater the number of liquid droplets that are not
captured

by the mist eliminator, the higher the potential emission levels.

AIR STRIPPING

Air stripping is the transferring of volatile components of a liquid into an air stream. It is

an environmental engineering technology used for the purification of groundwaters and

wastewaters

containing volatile compounds.

Volatile compounds have relatively high vapor pressure and low aqueous solubility
characterized by

the compound's Henry's law coefficient, which is the ratio of the concentration in air that is
in

equilibrium with its concentration in water.

Packed Tower Strippers

Packed towers use a distributor placed at the top of the tower to evenly distribute
engineered plastic,

ceramic, or metal packing to maximize air-water contact. Design criteria for packed towers
include

surface area provided by the packing, column height and diameter, and air to water flow
rates. Designers

of air strippers want to obtain the largest air-water surface contact in order to reach
maximum efficiency
of removing contaminants Of the two types of air strippers, packed strippers tend to be
more efficient at

removing contaminants than sieve tray towers.

Packed towers remove 99% of volatile organic compounds due to their high Henry's
constant and the

high air-water surface contact of the system. Packed strippers also work more efficiently in
removing

lower volatility organic compounds than tray strippers.

Tray Tower Strippers

Sieve tray towers use a similar process to packed towers, but instead of packed materials
being

evenly distributed, the materials are separated into several trays with holes that allow
water to drip

through them. An electric air compressor is typically positioned at the bottom of the system
where

the air from the fans travels through the holes and becomes exposed to the water.

A natural draft can also be used as an air source to separate contaminants from the water. A
natural

draft is used for removing more volatile substances such as hydrogen sulfide, radon, or
vinyl

chloride. On the other hand, mechanical air compressors are used to remove less volatile

substances.

BAG FILTER
A bag filter is a type of air pollution control device that uses a series of bags to remove

particulate matter from gas streams. The bags are made of a filter media, such as polyester,

nylon, or glass fiber, that has small pores that trap the particles. The gas stream flows

through the bags, and the particles are captured on the surface of the bags. The bags are

then cleaned periodically to remove the captured particles.

In industries, we use something called a bag filter to keep the air clean. This is especially

important when we’re dealing with boilers. Imagine the bag filter as a superhero that

catches tiny particles in the air.

The bag filter has special bags made of materials like polyester or nylon. These bags have

small holes that trap the particles when the dirty air passes through them. This is

particularly useful in processes involving boilers, where keeping the air clean is crucial.

 Power generation

 Metal working

 Chemical manufacturing

 Pharmaceutical manufacturing

 Wastewater treatment

Food processing

Bag filters are a reliable and effective way to remove particulate matter from gas streams.

They are also relatively low-cost to operate and maintain.

A bag filter is like a big vacuum cleaner for cleaning the air. It’s used to remove dust, dirt,

and other tiny particles from the air in places like factories, homes, or even cars.

 The Bag: Imagine a big bag made of special material that can trap tiny particles. This

bag is like a filter.

 Air Sucking: When the air with dust and dirt in it is blown into the bag, the bag sucks

in the air, just like a vacuum cleaner sucks in dirt.

 Filtering: As the air goes into the bag, the tiny particles like dust and dirt get trapped

in the material of the bag. The clean air comes out on the other side.

 Clean Air: Now, the air that comes out of the bag is much cleaner because all the

bad stuff is stuck in the bag.

 Maintenance: Over time, the bag gets filled with dust and dirt. So, you need to empty

the bag or replace it with a new one to keep the filter working well.

Type of Bag Filter

 Pulse jet bag filters: These filters use a blast of compressed air to dislodge the
collected particles from the bags. This is the most common type of bag filter and is

used in a wide range of applications.

 Reverse air bag filters: These filters use a reverse flow of air to dislodge the

collected particles from the bags. This type of filter is less common than pulse jet

filters, but it is often used in applications where the dust is very fine or where the

filter bags are made of a delicate material.

 Shaker bag filters: These filters use a shaking motion to dislodge the collected

particles from the bags. This type of filter is less common than pulse jet or reverse

air filters, but it is often used in applications where the dust is very sticky or where

the filter bags are made of a heavy material.

 Multi-clone bag filters: These filters use multiple bags in parallel to increase the

filtration area.

Advantages of Bag Filters in boilers

Fabric filters in general provide high collection efficiencies on both coarse and fine

(submicron) particulates.

 They are relatively insensitive to fluctuations in gas stream conditions.

 Operation is relatively simple.

 Unlike electrostatic precipitators, fabric filter systems do not require the use of high

voltage, therefore, maintenance is simplified and flammable dust may be collected

with proper care.

ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR

An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a filterless device that removes fine particles, such as
dust and

smoke, from a flowing gas using the force of an induced electrostatic charge minimally
impeding the flow

of gases through the unit.

a device that uses an electric charge to remove certain impurities—either solid particles or
liquid

droplets—from air or other gases in smokestacks and other flues. The precipitator
functions by

applying energy only to the particulate matter being collected, without

significantly impeding the flow of

gases.

Electrostatic precipitators can capture fine particles (i.e., those that are smaller than 2.5
microns [0.0001

inch] in diameter), which are especially dangerous if released because they can be drawn
deep into

the lungs and can trigger inflammatory reactions.

Design and process

Precipitators function by electrostatically charging particles in the gas stream. The charged
particles are

attracted to and deposited on plates or other collection devices. The treated air then passes
out of the

precipitator and through a stack to the atmosphere. When enough particles have
accumulated on the

collection devices, they are shaken off the collectors by mechanical rappers.

Plate precipitators are often marketed to the public as air purifiers or as a permanent
replacement for

furnace filters. Unlike some other air purification technologies, they typically do not become
breeding

grounds for harmful forms of bacteria.

Uses

Electrostatic precipitators are important tools in the process of cleaning up flue gases. They
are highly

effective at reducing particle pollution,

including those particles whose sizes approximate 1 micron

(0.00004 inch) in diameter, and some precipitators can remove particles of 0.01 micron in
diameter. In

addition, they can handle large volumes of gas at various temperatures and flow rates,
removing either

solid particles or liquid droplets.

BIOFILTERS

Biofiltration is a pollution control technique using a bioreactor containing living material to

capture
and biologically degrade pollutants. Common uses include processing waste water,
capturing

harmful chemicals or silt from surface runoff, and microbiotic oxidation of contaminants in
air.

A biofilter is a bed of media on which microorganisms attach and grow to form a biological
layer

called biofilm. Biofiltration is thus usually referred to as a fixed–film process. Generally, the
biofilm

is formed by a community of different microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeast, etc.), macro-

organisms (protozoa, worms, insect's larvae, etc.)

Typically, a biofilter has two or three phases,

a solid phase (media);

a liquid phase (water);

a gaseous phase (air).

Organic matter and other water components diffuse into the biofilm where the treatment
occurs,
mostly by biodegradation. Biofiltration processes are usually aerobic, which means that

microorganisms require oxygen for their metabolism. Oxygen can be supplied to the biofilm,
either

concurrently or countercurrently with water flow. Aeration occurs passively by the natural
flow of air

through the process (three phase biofilter) or by forced air supplied by blowers.

Types of filtering media:

Most biofilters use media such as sand, crushed rock, river gravel, or some form of plastic or

ceramic material shaped as small beads and rings.

Advantages

Since microorganisms are retained within the biofilm, biofiltration allows the development
of

microorganisms with relatively low specific growth rates;

Biofilters are less subject to variable or intermittent loading and to hydraulic shock.

 Operational costs are usually lower than for activated sludge;


The final treatment result is less influenced by biomass separation since the biomass

concentration at the effluent is much lower than for suspended biomass processes;

FILED VISIT TO AN INDUSTRY WITH AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

o We can reduce air pollution by conserving energy by turning off lights, computers, air

conditioners and other appliances when not in use.

o Encourage your employees to use public transport or you can arrange a bus from a

common point for your employees.

o When purchasing a vehicle for your company consider buying most efficient, lowest

polluting or if possible zero emission electric vehicle.

o Encourage employees to use bicycle for daily commute

o Ensure drivers in your company obeying traffic laws, speed limits, maintaining vehicles

properly and keeping optimum air pressure in tyres.

o Replace lights in your factory to energy efficient bulbs

o GO green by limiting the use of paper as it may save some trees

o Choose materials which are made from recycled materials

o Encourage teleconference than physical meeting

o Encourage activities like planting trees once a year among employees

o Give awards to employees who reduced emissions in their shifts

Improve machineries or manufacturing processes to reduce emissions from factories

o Boosting performance of boilers can sharply reduce air pollution from industry

o Earlier companies used electric motors with efficiencies 60-90 percentage now electric

motors with 95% of efficiency are also available

o Proper maintenance of boiler e.g. blowing dust from surface, reducing excess air can

reduce air pollution from industries

o Reducing the need of steam the use of boiler, by identifying leaks can boost system by
10-50%

o Switching from coal, oil to natural gas reduced operating costs and extend plant’s life by

eliminating corrosion from fuels

to identify irregularities in pollutants level in air and keep your pollutants level within

limits

UNIT 4

EQUIPMENT FOR SOLID WASTE PROCESSING

Operational principles and Design criteria of Dewatering equipment:

METHODS OF DEWATERING

Treatment Process and Basic Design Principles

Factsheet Block Body

BeltFilterPress
Modern belt presses are based on a combination of chemical conditioning, gravity drainage
and

mechanical pressure in a continuous feed system to dewater sludge.

ChamberFilterPress

Chamber filter presses use filters to separate the liquid (filtrate) from the sludge and collect
the

solids (filter cake) in chambers. A number of such chambers for the collection of the solids
are

arranged in a plate pack. The filter cloth is supported by the plates of the plate pack. The
sludge

(optionally mixed with coagulant) is pumped into the chambers and against the filter media.

A moving plate (the tail plate) clamps the filter plate pack. The filtrate passes through the
filter cloth

and exits through the filtrate ports of the filter plate. The filter cake collects on the surface
of the

filter medium within the chambers until the chamber is full. The cake may be washed or
blown dry if

necessary.

Advantages

Little operator skill or attention is required during the (automated) process

High operational capacity

These processes can be completely automated

Reduces volume of sludge and saves storage and transport costs

Disadvantages

This is an expensive high-tech solution for dewatering sludge and only used in large scale
treatment

plants

Needs expert design

Operation and maintenance needs qualified workers

Constant power supply needed

Both dewatered sludge and effluents are still infectious, and further treatment is necessary

Vacuum Filtration

Vacuum filtration is a procedure in which a pressure differential is maintained

across the filter medium by evacuating the air below the filter paper.

Vacuum filtration provides a force on the solution in addition to that of

gravity and increases the rate of filtration

Filtration is an everyday technique used to separate solid particles from a liquid or

sometimes gases. Among the various different methods of filtration, vacuum filtration
stands out as a fast and simplistic process.

Vacuum filtration is a filtration technique used to separate a solid from a liquid. Separation

is accomplished by creating a pressure differential between the two sides of a filter paper

or membrane surface. The pressure difference is achieved by using a vacuum pump to

remove air from the receiving chamber below the filter paper.

As the liquid passes through the filter paper, the solid particles get trapped on the paper’s

surface. The remaining liquid will remain at the bottom of the collecting flask or be

container.

transferred

another

waste

larger

to

The pore size of a filter paper or membrane surface will change the speed of analysis, and

also determines the size of solid substances that are allowed to be passed through. Both of

these factors are instrumental to getting any filtration method tailored. So it is important to

experiment with filter pore size and vacuum strength to get the best possible results.

Filter Press
An industrial filter press is a tool used in separation processes, specifically to separate
solids and

liquids. The machine stacks many filter elements and allows the filter to be easily opened to
remove

the filtered solids, and allows easy cleaning or replacement of the filter media.

Filter presses cannot be operated in a continuous process but can offer very high
performance,

particularly when low residual liquid in the solid is desired. Among other uses, filter presses
are

utilised in marble factories in order to separate water from mud in order to reuse the water
during

the marble cutting process

Types of filter presses

Plate and frame filter press