Sinter Plant Waste Water Treatment
Waste water generated during sinter production in the sinter plant comprises mostly of water and the various pollutants with which it comes in contact during the sintering process. The main pollutants present in sinter plant waste water are suspended solids, dissolved metals, organic matter and dissolved gases. Waste water from sinter plant is typically contaminated with high levels of suspended solids, total organic carbon, ammonia, oils and fats, phenols and heavy metals such as lead and zinc.
The primary goal of sinter plant waste water treatment is to reduce the level of contaminants and the release of harmful compounds in the receiving environment. The sinter plant waste water treatment process typically consists of three stages: biological treatment, mechanical treatment and chemical treatment.
Biological treatment is a process that utilizes living organisms to break down organic matter in sinter plant waste water. This process can be used in both aerobic and anaerobic treatment systems. Aerobic treatment systems involve introducing oxygen into the process while anaerobic treatment systems involve using bacteria which feeds on the organic material without oxygen.
Mechanical treatment can involve processes such as sedimentation, filtration and centrifugation. In sedimentation process, suspended particles are allowed to settle out of the process water at the bottom of the treatment tank. This process reduces the amount of solids in the water. The next step, filtration, involves passing the water through filter media which removes the remaining particles from the water. Lastly, centrifugation is used to separate suspended solids from the water, with the solid particles being spun out by the centrifugal force.
Chemical treatment is typically the final stage in sinter plant waste water treatment, as it provides additional short-term solutions to further reduce the concentration of pollutants. Common methods used for chemical treatment are coagulation, flocculation and neutralization. Coagulation involves adding a chemical to the water which causes the particles to stick together and form larger particles which can then be more easily removed. Flocculation involves adding a long chain molecule to the water and allowing it to form larger particles of the polluting matter, which can be more easily separated from the water. Lastly, neutralization can be done by adding a chemical that can neutralize the acidity or alkalinity of the water, restoring it to a more neutral pH.
Once the sinter plant waste water has been treated, it can then be safely discharged into the environment or reused in the sinter plant. Reusing the water can potentially save money and increase the efficiency of the process, as the water does not need to be constantly replenished with fresh water.
Sinter plant waste water treatment is an important part of the sintering process, as it prevents the release of harmful pollutants into the environment. By utilizing biological, mechanical, and chemical treatments, sinter plant waste water can be effectively treated to reduce its contaminants and protect the environment.
