Pre-treatment of Cosmetic industry wastewater

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We have cosmetics industry wastewater of COD &TSS more than 50000 mg/L and pH and Oil & Grease 2-3 and 5000 mg/L respectively.

How can we do pre-treatment of it with 50% COD&TSS and 100% Oil&Grease reduction without forming non-hazardous sludge?.

Kindly request your help.

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11 Answers

  1. Good day sir,

    As noted below, there are a multitude of potential solutions and that the only way to advocate a proper solution is by analysis and potential bench testing (we have a lab that can help). In regards to specific technologies, the Evoqua DAF has been an effective low cost solution frequently used in food and cosmetics markets for oils and grease, however, this is potentially a component or a complete solution depending on what we find out in the lab. Last key point, Evoqua has the largest support and service staff in the industry with over 100 years of experience along with our proud accomplishments of hundreds of innovative patents.

    http://www.evoqua.com/en/brands/Envirex/Pages/dissolved-air-flotation.aspx

  3. Hi Ali.

     

    As a roule of thomb, cosmetics are biodegradable, so you can consider a biological system.

    The nature of cosmetics production results in a highly variable effluent quality, so you will need a huge equalization tank with proper aeration to avoid smell.

     

    Oils used in cosmetics are usually soluble, and in this case, the best thing is to consider a coagulation + flocullation system. Due to the nature of variable quality, you need to have a batch system for the coagulation + flocullation system. So, you need to have (2) systems: one working and the other one in stand-by.

     

    I'm a fan of MBR technology and sucessfuly installed in a Brazilian cosmetic company in Brazil and it has been working since 1997!! Nowadays, there are many membrane manufacturers.

     

    Foam is a problem if there's production of shampoos and soaps. By using MBR process you can control the sludge age, which has an anti-foam effect and can be spread over the equalization / biological tanks.

     

    So, don't worry about the level of organic load. Be worried about the variability of chemical composition of effluent stream.

     

    If you would like to discuss more about it, get in touch with me by e-mail contato@yamaguchiengenharia.com.br.

    Good luck!

     

     

     

  4. Based on the given parameters of very high TSS content, O & G and COD, i would propose a skimmer / surge tank as a pre-treatment in which majority of TSS and  O&G will be removed. The pre-treated waste shall be then processed by CPI which will remove the TSS and O&G thereby the COD will also be reduced within the discharge limits. If complete wastewater analysis is provided shall suggest if any further process treatment is required to meet the discharge limits. 

  5. Depending on what cosmetics are being made, (lipstick particulates will remain solid) I would start with a screen to remove larger particulates.  The next stage would be a balance tank which should be mixed with air to start correcting the pH by removing CO2.  I would then feed the water through a tubular mixer where the pH can be corrected and optimised, and FOG will also been reduced.  

  6. Depending on what cosmetics are being made, (lipstick particulates will remain solid) I would start with a screen to remove larger particulates.  The next stage would be a balance tank which should be mixed with air to start correcting the pH by removing CO2.  I would then feed the water through a tubular mixer where the pH can be corrected and optimised, and FOG will also been reduced.  

  7. If I follow correctly you have a pH between 2 and 3, with an influent COD of 50,000 mg/L and Oil & Grease (O&G) concentration of 5,000 mg/L. If this is the case, there are many ways to move forward, so I will layout a possible escenario. 

    First - you should reduce the O&G concentration by simply installing an O&G skimmer or a DAF.

    Second - I am assuming you have an Activated Sludge System to perform your COD removal. Base on this scheme you should have a Equalization Tank and Primary Clarifier to reduce the COD load acceptable for your Aeration Basin System to manage the load. With this system you can also install a Neutralization System that will allow you to control the pH.

    Hope this gives you an idea on how to solve your problem. If you would need further assistance you can contact me directly at: Louis.Viana@LRVINC.Com

    Regards,

    Dr. Louis R. Viana, PE,Ph.D.

    President of LRV

  9. Dear Muntjeer,

    The pretreatment will depend on the treatment you will use.
    You could think in a DAF system and after a good biologic treatment.
    Using the propper hydraulic retention time and biologic treamte you could obtain a very good effluet quality (it can be lagoons, MBR, MBBR or other good design).
    If you have no enought area, then you could use the chemical oxidation, fenton or other sytem that are more expensive in TCO (Total Cosst os Ownerchip).

    Regards,

    Orlando D. Gutiérrez Coronado

  11. Electrocoagulation, the use of soft iron electrodes and DC electricity will de-emulsify the water, allowing the oil to be skimmed off. Adding hydrogen peroxide to the water while applying the DC will then oxidize the BOD/COD

    Reduce the pH to 6.0 before doing this for maximum efficiency