DELOACH BLOG

Odor control in a manufacturing facility is essential.

It prevents potential health risks and discomfort caused by the spread of chemicals, vapors, and fumes. Additionally, excessive vapors can hinder the efficiency of exhaust and natural ventilation systems.

One effective solution for addressing odor issues is the installation of an Odor Control Scrubber Tower. These towers are part of the ventilation system in manufacturing plants and chemical processing facilities.

Odor control scrubbers help to remove noxious fumes and odors from exhaust and air streams. This is an effective way to improve air quality. This process involves utilizing an activated carbon filter and an ionic air filter

Key Considerations for Installing an Odor Control Scrubber Tower:

Health and Safety of Workers:

Industrial environments pose risks of exposure to hazardous fumes and gases for workers. Unhealthy odors emitted in high concentrations can jeopardize their well-being and safety. In some cases, these gases may even be combustible, adding an extra level of danger.

Odor control scrubber towers remove gases from the contaminated air, ensuring a safe working environment. These towers reduce the risk of health issues such as nausea, headaches, allergy symptoms, eye irritation, and loss of consciousness. This helps maintain worker productivity and prevents sickness caused by toxic fumes and gases.

Water turbidity refers to how transparent or translucent the water is when examining or testing it for any use.

 Water turbidity can impact food and beverage, municipal, industrial, and aquaculture operations. Turbidity is caused by suspended or dissolved particles in the water that scatter light which causes the water to appear cloudy or even murky.

Different particles can cause turbidity, including sediments such as silts and clay, fine inorganic or organic matter, algae or soluble colored organic compounds, and microscopic organisms. Turbidity is measured in a value referred to as NTU, which means Nephelometric Turbidity Unit. The EPA requires a turbidity level no higher than 0.3 NTU in the USA, and if a member of the partnership of safe drinking water, then the level must not exceed 0.1 NTU.

High turbidity can create habitats for other harmful elements, such as bacteria or metals, that can accumulate onto the particles. This increases the health risk for a potable water system. In aquaculture operations, increased turbidity from silts and sediments can harm and harm marine life, so it must be removed to safe levels. For the food and beverage industry, the impact of high turbidity can be both a safety concern and a visual and noticeable quality concern because if the turbidity is high, it can alter the physical look of the final product, for example, a distillery.

The EPA and other world health organizations have sounded the alarm on the dangers and health impacts of being exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs & PFOAs) also known as the forever chemicals.

In response, federal and state regulators are adopting new water quality guidelines and laws to address these contaminants in our drinking water systems and groundwater pollution. It's a pervasive issue, as PFASs can be found in various types and over 4,700 different variations, each with at least three polyfluorinated carbon atoms.

With more than 10,000 types of PFASs introduced into products, it's no wonder that the quality of drinking water in the USA and other countries has been compromised. But what exactly are PFASs? These are fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom. While they do not contain atoms like hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, any chemical with a perfluorinated (CF3) or perfluorinated (CF2) component falls under the PFAS category. However, there are a few exceptions.

PFASs can be further classified into subgroups such as surfactants, perfluorosulfonic acids, perfluorooctane sulfonic acids, perfluorocarboxylic acids, and perfluorooctanoic acids (commonly referred to as PFOSs and PFOAs). These persistent organic pollutants, also known as "forever chemicals," pose a significant challenge due to their resistance to environmental degradation. As a result, they are found in humans, animals, and water supplies across the USA.

Water demineralization is also called deionization and is a process known as “Ion Exchange.”

In simple terms, water demineralization is “Water Purification.” The process involves removing dissolved ionic mineral solids from a feed-water process, typically for “Industrial” water applications. Still, it can also be utilized to remove dissolved solids from a water process for “Aquaculture,” “Food and Beverage,” and the “Municipal” markets.

Why is demineralization utilized? It can remove dissolved solids to near distilled water quality at a much lower capital and operational cost than other treatment processes such as membrane softening (Reverse Osmosis). Demineralization applies the science known as “Ion Exchange,” which attracts negative and positive charged ions and allows either to attach themselves to a negative ion depending on their respective current negative or positive charge during what is known as a resin cycle. In other technical articles, we will explore and go into more specific details on the science of the ion exchange process. Water that has dissolved salts and minerals has ions, either negatively charged ions known as “Anions” or positively charged ions known as “Cations.” To treat the water and remove these contaminants, the ions in the water are attracted to counter-ions, which have a negative charge. In a demineralization treatment process, there are pressure vessels that hold resin beads which are typically made of plastic. The beads are made from a plastic material with an ionic functional group that allows them to hold and maintain an electrostatic electrical charge. Some of these resin groups are negatively charged, referred to as “Anion” resins, while others hold a positive charge and are called “Cations” resins.

There are different applications to apply Ion exchange technologies, which is why you will often hear different terminology interchanged like deionization and demineralization. The raw water quality and the specific application will dictate the type of ion exchange process needed. For example, if the water contains a high level of hardness, the water will most likely contain Ca2+ or Mg2+ dissolved solids possessing a positive charge. To replace these hard ions, it is typical to utilize a resin bed with a salt ion like Na+. As the water passes over the resin bead material within the pressure vessel. The hard ions are replaced with the salt ion; therefore, all the hardness within the water is removed. However, the water will now contain a higher concentration of sodium ions, and this must be considered during the evaluation and selection process of the type of resin material to utilize for the specific application. If the water application requires high purity and the removal of as many solids as possible, then the term or process selected is referred to as demineralization.

Industrial water systems use water filters to reduce the level of solids in water from:

• Industrial
• Semiconductor
• Manufacturing
• Refining
• Oil and Natural Gas Production Processes

The wastewater may contain harmful chemicals to humans, plants, or animals. Three types of filters are commonly used in industrial settings:

Gravity filters, pressure filters, and constructed wetlands. Pressure filters have two variations: multimedia and higher-pressure micron or cartridge filters. Constructed wetlands or natural filters are not often utilized in industrial processes. Based on the requirements to obtain environmental permits and safeguard the ecosystem.

There are many benefits to pressure filtering systems in industrial wastewater. Pressure filters can remove particles down to 0.3 microns in size. They don't clog up as quickly as other filter types, and it's much faster than other types of filtration methods.

Pressure filtering is also very cost-effective because it uses less energy than other methods. Look no further if you're looking for a high-quality industrial water filter that cuts down on operating costs!

Pressure Filters  (Multimedia type) are often used in industrial settings to filter particulates down to 15 microns in size.

They're also very cost-effective due to their energy; pressure filters utilize much less energy than other filtration methods. Pressure filters can include multimedia, a mixture of gravel and sand, multimedia, gravel, sand, and anthracite, or multimedia, which combines gravel, sand, greensand, and anthracite filter media. The variations are dependent on the applications and the need.

Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," have long been utilized in various consumer products due to their exceptional properties.

However, the challenge lies in effectively treating or eliminating PFAS once they enter the environment or water supply. This blog will focus on the technological advancements in removing PFAS and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs) from water sources. By exploring different treatment methods, such as activated carbon absorption, ion exchange resins, and reverse osmosis, and simply avoiding PFOA and PFOS, we can better understand the available options for mitigating these persistent chemicals in water.

Activated Carbon Absorption

One of the earliest technologies employed for PFAS removal is activated carbon absorption. This method involves the use of specially treated carbon materials that effectively adsorb PFAS compounds from water sources. The activated carbon's large surface area and porous structure allow it to trap and retain PFAS molecules. This technology has proven effective in removing PFAS, including PFOAs, from drinking water and environmental sources. However, periodic treatment and regeneration of the activated carbon are necessary to maintain its efficacy.

In water treatment, it is often required to remove small particulate matter from the raw water.

One of the most cost-effective ways to accomplish this is with a pressure filter. Sometimes referred to as “sand filters,” a pressure filter consists of a rigid filter vessel capable of withstanding internal pressure, combined with pipework to distribute and collect water and one or multiple types of filter media. Pressure filters are commonly used in municipal water systems, industrial facilities, residential well water systems, and swimming pools. Typical pressure filter construction is shown below:

At the top of the filter vessel, a distributor is used to break up and distribute the water flow so that there are no concentrated flow jets that stir up the media bed. Inflow distributors are usually oriented to direct flow at the top of the vessel to disperse the flow further. Below the distributor is the primary filter bed. The filter bed contains fine-grained media, most often sand, including crushed anthracite coal, activated charcoal, garnet, or other granular bulk products. The media bed is the thickest layer in the filter vessel and is the region that does the actual filtering of the water or other fluid. Below the media bed will be one or more support layers. These will usually be larger-sized gravel that is chosen to support the filter bed while allowing high flow through the support layer and into the outflow header. The outflow header can take several forms but is often composed of a large central pipe with multiple smaller pipes or “laterals” attached. The laterals are slotted or perforated. This allows the pressurized water to flow into the laterals and out through the outflow header into the downstream components of the water treatment system.

One issue that I run into relatively often with new technicians, or with some non-technical project managers is confusion over pipe sizing. 

A typical example looks like this: I ask a new technician-in-training to get me a count of the 1-inch pipe that we have in storage. I take the info, and then later find out that what the trainee inventoried was the 3/4-inch pipe. The reason for this confusion lies in the way that pipe sizes are named. The 1-inch, 3-inch, 6-inch, etc. pipe designations are closer to names than sizes. This is because pipe sizing goes by a nominal size standard which is somewhat non-intuitive.

For many people, if they are asked to locate a pipe of a given size, 3-1/2” for example, they will take a tape measure and instinctually measure the outside diameter of the pipe, which will lead them to an incorrect identification. This has to do with the sizing conventions for pipes. Pipes are sized using a nominal pipe size (NPS) designation, and a pipe schedule (SCH) to fully define the size. The nominal size refers only to the approximate inside diameter, and the schedule refers to the wall thickness of the pipe. Because of this, the inner and outer dimensions of a pipe do not directly align with the “name” of the pipe size

In process control systems, it is often required to handle fluids that have a harsh chemical nature. In these cases, it is necessary to be aware of material-chemical compatibility. Chemical compatibility is a general term referring to the way a specific chemical interacts with a specific material. This information is taken into consideration when selecting materials for construction for tanks, valves, pipework, tubing, and other devices that may encounter harsh chemicals. Common chemical types that are used in process systems are acids, bases, corrosives and oxidizers, and hydrocarbons. Typical chemical-resistant materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, vinyl polymers, fluoropolymers, and stainless steel. In order to determine which materials are compatible with certain chemicals, a chemical compatibility chart is often used. A chemical compatibility chart contains tabulated data about how a given material interacts with a given chemical.

Often, the manufacturer of the equipment or material in question will have their own compatibility chart for their specific goods. Most compatibility charts will have the same type of information. Materials will be categorized along one axis of the table, with fluids or gasses categorized along the other axis. At the intersection of a material with a fluid, you will find an indication of the level of compatibility. Some charts will use an A-F categorization, others may use a more graphical style. Most charts will be accompanied by a key or guide that explains how to use the table. There may also be multiple concentration levels and temperature ranges for a given fluid in cases where the distinction makes a difference with compatibility.

Converting Ferrous (Fe+2) (soluble) iron to Ferric (Fe+3) (Particulate/Solid form).

The iron must first be exposed to air or an oxidizing agent. Aeration System is the most cost-effective method to oxidize ferrous iron for its removal from water. In many areas around the globe, municipal and industrial operations need to remove naturally occurring iron (Fe) from the water to prevent damage to other equipment and improve water quality. Removing iron from the water must first be oxidized using the most widely accepted and cost-effective method called aeration. The aeration process changes the iron from its Ferrous (Fe+2) state (soluble) to ferric (Fe+3) colloidal participation. Did you know that Iron occurs naturally and is found in the earth’s crust? It occurs in both groundwater as well as surface waters and is not known to cause any harmful effects on humans or animals.

Iron does cause problems, though, for municipal facilities and their customers by impacting laundry operations and causing stains on buildings and on plumbing fixtures. Iron also promotes and facilitates the growth of iron bacteria in water, creating a problem for distribution lines and piping systems. Once the lines become blocked, this impacts the ability to distribute water to the customer. Iron bacteria also become detectible even at low concentrations and impact the taste of the water. The U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standard set a recommended maximum level of 0.3 mg/L in public water supplies.

In industrial applications, iron can cause server damage in boiler systems.

Cation and Anion systems, piping and nozzles, and other equipment. In addition, for other industries such as food and beverage, brewery, semiconductor, or the production of chemical products, iron can interfere with the manufacturing or brewing and canning process, lowering the quality of the final product. In groundwater and anaerobic surface water, iron is normally present in its soluble form called “Ferrous” iron Fe+2 when the pH is in a certain range. When the same water is in contact with air, that allows the air to diffuse into the water, or when any form of an oxidizing chemical is added to the water, the iron is converted into its oxidized form called “Ferric” Fe+3, becoming a solid. The ferric iron becomes visible and impacts the turbidity of the water and is typically not accepted by customers because the ferric iron within the water when in contact with surfaces, will create colloidal precipitates causing discoloring to all that it encounters over time.