FEASIBILITY STUDY ON USE OF PREDISPERSED SOLVENT EXTRACTION/ FLOTATION TECHNIQUES FOR REMOVAL OF ORGANICS FROM WASTEWATERS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to consider the feasibility of using a predispersed solvent (decane) extraction/flotation process, involving a very low solvent/feed ratio, to remove dissolved hazardous organics, e.g. ortho dichlorobenzene from wastewaters. Procedures have been established for formulating and characterizing these predispersed solvents (polyaphrons) produced and for evaluating performance in extraction/flotation studies. Extraction/flotation using selected ca. 15 micron diameter polyaphrons in conventional mixer/separator with typical short hold-up times were 5 to 10 times more effective in removing ortho dichlorobenzene from water (less than 1/500 solvent to feed ratio) than with identical tests using a similar quantity of straight solvent. Initial results look encouraging, but further process evaluation of various applications will be required to assess the potential for this new separations process.