Pollution Control
Changing from Lime To Magnesium Hydroxide
We are considering switching to magnesium hydroxide since jar tests performed by a chemical supplier indicate a 30% reduction in filter press cake at a pH of 8.5. Our flow consists of 2/3 tumbling and 1/3 nickel-chrome plating with a combined flow of 60 gal/min. Is this realistic?
Read MoreDefining RCRA-Hazardous Waste
One company said since our waste stream had a lead concentration of 40 mg/liter and this is over the TCLP threshold of five mg/liter, it is a RCRA-hazardous waste and gave us a quote from transportation and disposal as such. The other company claimed they can handle it as a non-hazardous waste since the waste stream’s concentration is less than 19 times the TCLP threshold of five mg/liter. Obviously, disposal as a hazardous waste is much more expensive than non-hazardous waste. Can you help us decide which way to go?
Read MoreUpper Limits on pH Disposal
My concern centers around the alkaline cleaner stage. Current practice has been to dump this stage as is. Just before the last dump, I checked the pH and found it to be 12.7. I checked our wastewater discharge permit and the only pH limitation it has is that it prohibits pH less than 5.5. In other words, it has no upper pH limit. At my two other jobs, we were told discharging a wastewater of that high pH was “illegal according to EPA.” Since my discharge permit gives me no upper pH limit, am I OK?
Read MoreReporting Lead
As the quality manager of a large job shop metal finishing facility and recent restructuring, I now have responsibility for environmental issues. While we knowingly do not purchase any lead or lead containing products, nonetheless, we know lead is present due to detectable concentrations found in our wastewater treatment filter press cake; lead is always non-detectable in our wastewater discharge. How do I better document whether or not I need to report for lead?
Read MoreEmissions Equipment
I am looking for advice on emission equipment to meet 10 pounds per day requirement for releasing isopropyl alcohol. Our current process emits about 30 pounds per day of isopropyl alcohol into the air.
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