DELOACH BLOG

Decarbonation is a critical process in water treatment, and understanding the impact of alkalinity is essential for its successful implementation.

Are pH and Alkalinity the Same? Balancing Alkalinity Levels for Optimal Water Quality

When it comes to removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from water through the process of degasification.

It is crucial to ensure that the pH of the water is properly adjusted prior to treatment. This step becomes more complex if you are not already pre-treating water for membrane filtration or softening. The reason behind this is that when the pH of water rises above 5.5, it becomes increasingly challenging to convert H2S or sulfides into a gaseous phase, which is necessary for their removal through the degasification process utilizing a degasifier.

At a pH of 7, the conversion rate drops significantly, and a standard degasification tower can only remove about 80-85% of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), leaving behind worrisome levels of this compound in the water. However, by lowering the pH to 5.5 (or at least a pH of 6), the removal efficiency dramatically increases to 99% in most cases. In situations where high water quality is demanded, such as in breweries or canneries, removal rates as high as 99.99% can be achieved by carefully adjusting the pH.

Leaving excessive amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfur in the water can lead to various additional problems with water quality, including unpleasant taste and odor. Moreover, it can cause fouling and corrosion of the primary equipment and even the facilities themselves. The negative consequences of inadequate hydrogen sulfide removal underline the importance of addressing this issue effectively.

If you would like to obtain more information or learn about the various solutions available, we recommend reaching out to the professionals at DeLoach Industries Inc. They have extensive expertise in the field and can provide you with valuable insights and guidance. Feel free to contact them at (941) 371-4995 to discuss your specific needs and find the most suitable approach for hydrogen sulfide removal from your water in your water treatment system.

By addressing the pH adjustment requirement and ensuring effective degasification, you can significantly improve the overall quality of your water supply. Investing in proper treatment measures not only enhances the taste and smell of the water but also safeguards the longevity and functionality of your equipment and infrastructure.

DeLoach Industries Inc. is renowned for its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Their knowledgeable team is well-equipped to assist you in finding the most effective solutions for hydrogen sulfide removal, tailored to your unique circumstances. Don't hesitate to get in touch with them today to explore how they can help you achieve optimal water quality and mitigate the potential challenges associated with hydrogen sulfide contamination.

In conclusion, when dealing with the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from water through degasification, ensuring proper pH adjustment is essential for successful treatment. Adjusting the pH to an ideal level of 5.5 or at least 6 significantly improves the removal efficiency, offering rates as high as 99%. Neglecting this crucial step can result in compromised water quality, fouling, and corrosion of equipment and facilities. For expert guidance and solutions tailored to your needs, contact DeLoach Industries Inc. at (941) 371-4995, and take proactive steps toward ensuring clean and high-quality water.

 

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Related Blog: Degasification Tower Design: Square vs. Round?

The first step is understanding the chemical analysis of the water you will treat.

Suppose this is an aeration process for iron (Fe) removal. In that case, it is vital to understand the water's concentration, pH, and alkalinity and the amount of calcium carbonate or other minerals present. Once you've determined that the water is suitable for the desired treatment process, you must choose equipment based on the water's volume and flow rate. Remember that water treatment equipment is not one-size-fits-all and is vitally important when selecting equipment to consider your water conditions.

If a tower's internals is damaged due to the weight of random pack media or fouled water and airflow, the pack media will become completely clogged, and water flow will be blocked. This will result in an expensive shutdown and repair. It is advised that routine service cleanings are carried out under a service contract.

For heavy fouling conditions, a slat tray media selection can save you both downtime and costs. Slat trays provide an anti-fouling benefit based upon the design intended to “shed” particulate as it is formed. They still need to be cleaned in heavy conditions, but far less often, and cleaning is more manageable. The tower process application requires high removal efficiency, then loose fill media may be the only choice unless a pretreatment tower with slat trays is installed in front of the process. Each application must be evaluated on its merits and reviewed for potential fouling and anticipated operating cost.

If fouled completely, loose fill, random pack media will block water flow and air and can, in some circumstances, become so heavy that the weight can damage the internals of a tower. This will cause a shutdown and more expenses to remove and repair. Routine service cleanings under a service contract are highly recommended.

Industrial water treatment systems play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and sustainability of water used in various industrial processes. One of the key challenges faced by industries is the presence of dissolved gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), and corrosive gases like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the water. These gases can have detrimental effects on equipment, cause pH imbalances, and even compromise the overall efficiency of industrial processes.

All induced draft, forced draft aerators, degasifiers, and odor control scrubbers rely on some type of air blower to enhance removal efficiency or move airflow. When a change in performance is noticed in water effluent quality, the first thing to inspect and troubleshoot is your blower.

An induced draft inspection, at times, can be a bit more tricky because it is located on top of the unit and typically requires some type of access ladder to allow for an inspection. You must always follow proper OSHA safety guidelines when attempting to inspect. Larger units often come equipped with an attached access ladder and handrail system, whereas small units with limited space do not.

The forced draft units have the blower typically mounted on the ground or top of the Clearwell/catch tank so that access to inspect a forced draft blower is less complicated. Once reaching the blower, if the noise of other operating equipment prevents easy listening, place your hand on top of the blower housing to detect if the motor is running. You will feel a vibration from the housing. If the water flows to the unit, but the blower is off and not running, you can determine that the motor is not operating.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contamination in water is a very common issue. A distinctive smell, combined with a dark precipitate that leaves behind damaging deposits, is an indication that there is H2S in your water. From the irritating smell, corroded plumbing & staining, to far more dangerous health concerns, contaminated water can cause serious issues in industrial and municipal environments.

When looking for the best method to remove the gas from your  water treatment system, you want equipment that is highly efficient and cost-effective. You also want the method to be safe and require minimum capital to initiate. Of all the available methods, few are as efficient, cost-effective, and easy to implement as degasification.

Degasification

Generally speaking, degasification is the elimination of dissolved gases from water using various means. In this case, we are looking at the use of a membrane to filter off Hydrogen Sulfide from drinking water to render it clean and safe for use. In membrane degasification, a proprietary membrane cartridge is used to remove the gas from the water. With vacuum conditions on one side of the membrane and the contaminated water on the other side, the dissolved gas (H2S) is moved by the vacuum to the other side of the membrane, leaving the water molecules unable to move across. This happens very quickly and the method is highly effective. The resulting water is void of any contamination, and safe for drinking and commercial use.