HCl vs. H2SO4 in Wastewater Treatment
engr.ar...@gmail.com
pH. In the treatment plants for this effluent, usually sulfuric acid
is used to adjust the pH. However, in Bangladesh, hydrochloric acid is
significantly cheaper than sulfuric acid.
I am working on a report to justify the substitution of the
conventional uses of chemicals with more economic ones.
I need some opinions from experts and some more issues to consider –
if any. Some related references to further study the matter would be
highly appreciated as well.
Micael Guignard
On Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:53:20 -0700 (PDT), engr.ar...@gmail.com
wrote:
> In Bangladesh, the effluent from so many textile factories have a high
> pH. In the treatment plants for this effluent, usually sulfuric acid
> is used to adjust the pH.
At the time of designing and building these plants: What was the
reason for choosing sulfuric acid for the pH adjustment? Which
alternatives were studied at that time?
> However, in Bangladesh, hydrochloric acid is
> significantly cheaper than sulfuric acid.
I have no idea of the market prices for these two acids, but I would
like to know on what base your statement is made. Did you consider the
cost for the pH adjustment (i.e. "price per proton (H+)") or the price
of commercially available solutions of the different acids?
> I am working on a report to justify the substitution of the
> conventional uses of chemicals with more economic ones.
Have a look into using carbonic acid (starting from carbon dioxide)
for the pH adjustment of alkaline waste waters. Have a look on Google
with:
neutralisation wastewater carbonic acid
> I need some opinions from experts and some more issues to consider –
> if any.
Issues I would consider:
- cost of the pH adjustment itself (consumption, available
concentrations of acid, ...)
- handling of different chemicals (safety, volumes, traffic,
dosing, ...)
- impact of the products of pH adjustment on the environement
(salt load, type of salt, conductivity, ...)
With best regards,
Mic.