Corrosion, the invisible enemy of WWTPs

2021-10-04 12:09:03

Corrosion is the natural process in which metals degrade. This process is influenced by external factors such as humidity, temperature and corrosive gases, mainly active sulfur compounds, sulfide oxides and nitrogen oxides (H₂S, SO₂, SO₃, NO_x).

In pumping stations and sewage treatment plants these factors are present, even in very low concentrations (parts per billion), and are the cause of technical and operational failures due to degradation of electrical components.

In order to prevent corrosion-sensitive electrical or electronic equipment from suffering, it is important to take preventive measures.

The solution is to perform a good prior analysis of the environment in corrosion-sensitive areas, install specific air filtration equipment with the appropriate media.

CORROSION COUPONS + BION FILTER MEDIA + SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT = EFFICIENT SOLUTION AGAINST CORROSION

To detect and act reliably against corrosion, BION has an action protocol. The process starts by sending and placing corrosion coupons in the rooms or environments susceptible to corrosion. After 30 days of exposure, the coupons are sent to the laboratory, where an exhaustive analysis of the gases that have been in contact and their concentration is carried out, determining the level of corrosion present in the environment.

Our laboratory is equipped with the necessary technology to investigate and analyze all types of gases derived from the wastewater treatment activity.

BION's team of chemists and engineers determines the best solution for each case. Usually the solution involves the installation of an air filtration equipment with an average according to the results obtained with the coupon.

In this way, carrying out a correct preventive action can fight against the invisible enemy that is corrosion and avoid the appearance of its adverse effects in installations, piping, data centers and vulnerable electronic components among other elements.

For more information about corrosion please visit: https://www.bioconservacion.com/corrosion-control

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Protect your biogas installations and reduce the maintenance costs

The conversion of biogas into green energy is not only environmentally friendly, but also contributes to the optimization of natural resources. More and more industries have biogas stations to take advantage of waste generated in these facilities, contributing to generate a circular economy where all available resources are exploited. Biogas plants need to remove impurities before it is diverted to its final use (upgrading or cogeneration engines). In the case of upgrading, the need for purification is high due to the strict conditions required for methane purity. The BION media ensures an effective removal of impurities at 99.5% efficiency. BION medias: Protect and maintain the compressor by preventing the occurrence of corrosive atmosphere inside the compressor. Protect the membranes against fouling or pore blockage. Have very high adsorption capacity They are specially designed to give high performance in environments with low oxygen levels. Protect and maintain the installations This becomes to reduced operating and maintenance costs and increased sorbent or adsorbent lifetime. BION biogas purification solutions are the best return on investment because they They remove pollutant gases before they cause irreversible damage to membranes, compressors or cogeneration equipment. Enables compliance with biomethane grid injection input requirements Extends the lifetime of the pretreatment stage by reducing operating costs Avoid downtime by preventing costly unexpected repairs Eliminate ALL common contaminants other than H2S.

WWTPs, how to prevent and control the generation of odorous gases?

There are three commonly used technologies for the prevention and control of odor gases: 1: chemical scrubbing The chemical scrubbing treatment system consists of passing the gas through scrubbing towers where air/water/reagent contact takes place. In chemical scrubbing, an acidic or basic chemical solution is injected into the system from the top, passing through the flow of the gas, and is then recovered at the bottom of the tower for recovery and recirculation. The gaseous compounds are retained in the chemical solution which must be replaced periodically. This technology has a high operating cost and a high risk associated because of the handling of this kind of chemicals. 2: filtration with solid adsorbents There are different types of solid adsorbents for odor removal, the most common is activated carbon. The gas passes through tanks containing the adsorbent media. The adsorbent media and its ability to remove odorous gases can vary depending on: - The porous structure of the base material (activated carbon, natural clays). - The chemical impregnation of the agents that cause the adsorbent media to react with specific gaseous contaminants to retain them or convert them into non-odorous ones. Activated carbon filtration is a technology with a low initial investment cost, which does not require qualified personnel for its operation, which makes its use extensive. The installation of covers in different areas of the wastewater or sewage treatment plant (pretreatment, thickeners, sludge storage, decanter channels (1st and 2nd), allow to mitigate the dispersion of odorous gases and to channel the air flow towards a tank with adsorbent media that allows the filtration of odor causing compounds (H2S, ammonia, sulfides, mercaptans, VOCs). BION offer solutions consisting of adsorbent media or chemical filter media (https://www.bioconservacion.com/chemical-filtration-media). These solutions include virgin activated carbon and other adsorbent chemical media that effectively remove odor gases generated in a WWTP even better and more efficiently than activated carbon solutions. 3: advanced biofiltration (biofilters) The biofiltration deodorization process is based on the action of microorganisms capable of decomposing odorous compounds. They are effective when it is necessary to remove high concentrations of odor compounds or to treat large air flows. The operating cost is minimal. But microorganisms are sensitive to atmospheric conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Also need a constant supply to survive. It can be affected by process stoppages or decreases in the concentration of the compounds reaching the filter. Each of these systems has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The most appropriate technology will depend, to a large extent, on the type of gaseous effluent to be treated.

Sick Building Syndrome

The sick building syndrome is a set of discomforts and diseases caused by multiple causes such as poor ventilation, suspended particles, gases and vapors of chemical origin and aerosols, among others. The WHO defines it as the set of diseases caused or stimulated by air pollution in enclosed spaces. The effects on human health associated with the sick building syndrome include: Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Headaches, migraine, dizziness and fatigue. Respiratory discomfort. Symptoms tend to increase with increasing time spent in the building and disappear when not inhabited. In this way, Sick Building Syndrome causes a substantial alteration of work performance and interpersonal relationships, as well as a considerable loss of productivity. Some of the gases that cause this syndrome come from common construction materials, furniture, textile materials, paints, wallpapers, floors and even cleaning products, air fresheners and deodorizers. Some of the most common gases present are: Formaldehydes α-pinenes VOC's Tetrachloroethylene Acetones Etc. In BION we have a wide range of medias that are able to eliminate practically 100% of these gases and ensure a good Indoor Air Quality. BIOGRAPHY https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality#note3 https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality https://www.wondermakers.com/Portals/0/docs/Sick%20building%20syndrome%20by%20WHO.pdf

Corrosion, the invisible enemy of WWTPs

In our blog...

Protect your biogas installations and reduce the maintenance costs

WWTPs, how to prevent and control the generation of odorous gases?

Sick Building Syndrome

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