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pH Neutralization System Daily Inspection
Josh Jondro – Chemical Engineer
Wastewater Management Team
As discussed in the August H2O Newsletter, a Fully Automated Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment System will shutdown and temporarily holds wastewater for proper treatment if an out-of-spec condition, an excursion, is detected. These systems require checks only twice a week and an operator on-call. All other systems require a daily operator inspection.
Fortunately, a well designed system requires minimal time and attention to maintain proper function. Maintaining the system safety, chemical inventory, cleaning and calibrating the pH sensor are the most critical daily pH system operator responsibilities. A daily 2-stage active pH Neutralization System daily system check should include:
- Get a general feeling for the system operation. Are there any observable leaks or safety hazards? Is the system louder than normal? Are the pH analyzer/controller currently operating as required?
- Next review the data recorder. Has there been an excursion since the last check? If there has been an excursions system troubleshooting is required.
- Fill out all required paperwork including daily totalized flow and any excursion details (duration and the maximum out-of-spec pH).
- Check the mixers. Are they functioning as expected, or are they hotter or louder than normal? Is the tank agitating sufficiently?
- Check the chemical level in each dispensing drum or day tank. Is there enough chemical, or should more be ordered?
- Ensure the chemical metering pumps are powered and primed. Energize the pumps and use the pH analyzer control to simulate a pH value at which the pumps should respond. Observe the pump injecting chemical into the tank. Does the pH change after exiting the simulation mode?
- Confirm the pH sensors are clean and calibrated to detect changes in pH quickly. Clean the sensors as frequently as required, usually weekly. Check the pH calibration; if the measurement is off calibrate the sensor. A drifting pH reading is a good indication that a pH probe replacement is required.
If this process is followed daily, an Operator can predict when preventive maintenance is needed. If each item on this list is completed daily your pH Neutralization System will always operate as efficiently as it was designed.
Sewer Use Discharge Permit Renewal Application, Hazardous Waste
Janice Markey- Compliance Manager
Wastewater Management Team
Completing your Sewer Use Discharge Permit Renewal Application provides an opportunity to check your compliance with DEP and MWRA hazardous waste regulations.
- The MWRA requires you list and estimate the liquids or sludge amounts removed from your facility each year. This information is easily gathered from a call to your local waste removal vendor(s) or by reviewing your hazardous waste manifests.
- The MWRA also requires that you submit recent hazardous waste manifests for each chemical you list. Be sure to double-check that you have not missed a chemical!
- Note discrepancies in your chemical inventory versus hazardous waste lists; e.g. purchasing large chemical quantities that are not removed from the facility or disposal of chemicals not on your chemical inventory list. These discrepancies can be perfectly legitimate, like your chemical reacted to form a product, but you should be aware of them.
- If you are a large quantity generator, you may submit an annual DEP Waste Summary report in place of the hazardous waste manifests.
- While reviewing your hazardous waste manifests, check you sent out copies to the proper authorities.
- Massachusetts has additional and specific rules you must abide by including:
- The DEP requires you to maintain hazardous waste manifest for at least three years.
- The MWRA will also ask you if you have spill plans, toxic organic management plan, source reduction plan, etc.
- Since you have already done much of the work, you may as well double-check your generator status. Did you generate more or less this year? Should you be in a different category? Be proactive and figure it out before the DEP does.
Tune in next month for a discussion on system Grading Reports and Staffing Plans as they pertain to your permit application...
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Wastewater License Renewal
Caitlin Green
Marketing & Communications
Wastewater Management Team
Wastewater License Renewal packages are due to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) by December 31, 2007!
20 Training Contact Hours are required for renewal no matter when you were licensed. If you are still in need of TCHs check our website for a link to our upcoming Online TCH options.
PAI Press Coverage: Boston Business Journal
Caitlin Green
Marketing & Communications
Wastewater Management Team
Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI) moved up two spots from last year in Boston Business Journal’s “Area’s Largest Environmental Engineering Firms List”. PAI listed at number 22 and 100% of our 2006 billing as environmental work. Check it out in the Boston Business Journals’ November 23-29, 2007 Vol. 27, No. 43 publication page 20 for more details.
Upcoming Compliance Deadlines:
Self Monitoring Semi-Annual Report: January 31, 2007
Self Monitoring Quarterly Reports: January 31, 2007
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