The most effective rubber wastewater treatment technologies in 2024

Origin, Impact of Rubber Wastewater on the Environment

Origin of Rubber Wastewater

Rubber wastewater originates from various processes, specifically:

• Latex production process.
• Skim latex production and processing process.
• Rubber latex production process.
• Centrifuged latex production process.

Characteristics of Rubber Wastewater

Rubber wastewater has the following basic characteristics:

• pH concentration ranging from 4.2 - 5.2.
• The amount of solid waste that can easily evaporate in water accounts for up to 90%.
• High levels of nitrogen and ammonia in the wastewater.
• Contains a lot of easily decomposable proteins that produce foul odors. At the same time, it generates various gases such as H2S, NH3, CH3COOH…
• High levels of phosphorus and concentrations of BOD, COD.

Impacts of Rubber Wastewater on the Environment

When rubber wastewater is discharged into receiving sources, it leads to turbid water, easy decomposition, and foul odor. As a result, it affects the health and lives of people living nearby.

High levels of organic matter will take a long time to decompose, leading to prolonged environmental pollution.

Technologies for Treating Rubber Wastewater

Mechanical Treatment Method

The mechanism of this technology involves using various types of screens and filters to filter and retain large solid non-dissolvable materials in water. They can also block suspended solids under the action of centrifugal force and gravity.

Chemical and Physical Treatment Methods

• The chemical treatment method aims to neutralize the water concentration to the appropriate pH level (6.5 - 8.5) using compounds such as NaOH, KOH.
• Since this wastewater contains high levels of organic acids, it poses difficulties for subsequent treatment processes.
• The physical treatment method is used to coagulate and form flocs of suspended solids in wastewater. These flocs then settle down to the bottom and are collected for separate treatment.

Biological Treatment Techniques

The purpose of this method is to use microbial groups to decompose organic pollutants. This includes:

• Methane-producing anaerobic microorganisms.
• Oxygen-requiring aerobic microorganisms.

This technique has the following effects:

• Reduce BOD, COD, dissolved solids, basic solids concentration.
• Control odor in wastewater.
• Enhance the overall system efficiency.

Understanding the Rubber Wastewater Treatment Process

Initial Mechanical Treatment

Using screens to remove and reduce solid waste such as branches, leaves, in wastewater. This helps prevent pipe blockages and reduce pressure on subsequent treatment facilities.

Skimming

The purpose of this facility is to remove floating layers of scum on the water surface. This scum can be reused for recycling purposes to save costs.

The skimming process also helps subsequent facilities operate more smoothly.

Coagulation, Flocculation

Here, chemicals such as polymers and lime are added to the tank to treat suspended solids.

Under the influence of chemicals, these substances move, collide, and adhere to each other to form large sludge flocs.

Primary Settling Tank

The main purpose is to remove sludge flocs in wastewater through settling under the influence of gravity.

Biological Treatment Cluster

The biological treatment cluster consists of two processes: anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion.

1. In the UASB reactor, anaerobic digestion occurs without using oxygen. When this wastewater comes into contact with anaerobic sludge, hydrolysis reactions, acidification, and methane production occur.
2. Next, the wastewater is sent to the Aeration tank. Here, aerobic microorganisms that require oxygen will decompose organics to produce energy for growth.

This process helps remove pollutants such as BOD, nitrogen…

Secondary Settling Tank

The tank is divided into three basic settling zones:

• Surface zone.
• Settling zone.
• Zone containing sludge and debris.

Here, sludge flocs move, collide to form larger sludge flocs. They then come into contact with Lamella plates along the water flow and move to the sludge holding tank.

Sludge Separation

In the sludge holding tank, the water on top and settled sludge at the bottom are separated for specialized treatment.

Above are the information about the technology and process of treating rubber wastewater. Hopefully, it has helped you understand more about the suitable processes and technologies. If you have any further questions that need clarification on this issue, please contact Toan A via the hotline 0913.543.469 to get support from experts.