Non-hazardous Iron Slurry for Wastewater Sulfide Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling hydrogen sulfide in wastewater, such as iron salt solutions, are hazardous and impractical for smaller wastewater collection systems in residential and commercial areas due to regulatory restrictions, while alternative solutions like oxygen injection and alkali treatments are costly or ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A non-hazardous iron product is developed, comprising a slurry of ferrous carbonate and ferrous hydroxide with a pH between 4.0 and 4.5, produced using sodium bisulfite and sodium hydroxide, which effectively neutralizes hydrogen sulfide without the need for intrusive chemical storage facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iron salt solutions are used to control hydrogen sulfide in wastewater, then sulfide neutralization effectiveness is improved, but safety and regulatory compliance deteriorate due to hazardous material restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the chemical form of iron from hazardous concentrated salt solutions to non-hazardous solid particles suspended in a slurry matrix, changing the physical and chemical parameters of the iron delivery system while maintaining sulfide neutralization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite slurry system combining iron particles with a stabilizing matrix containing bicarbonates and hydroxides, forming a new material system that maintains iron's sulfide-neutralizing capability while eliminating hazardous properties through the buffering matrix
2Reliability
If conventional iron salt solutions are used, then sulfide control is effective, but storage and handling complexity increases due to regulatory restrictions on hazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the physical state from concentrated liquid salt solution to solid particle slurry and adjusting pH to non-hazardous levels (4-4.5), the patent simplifies storage and handling while maintaining operational effectiveness in neutralizing hydrogen sulfide
Solution Approach 2:
The slurry formulation allows for stable, non-hazardous iron product that can be stored and handled more easily, treating the iron delivery system as a consumable that maintains effectiveness without requiring complex hazardous material infrastructure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative solutions like oxygen injection or alkali treatments are used instead of iron products, then safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite slurry system combining iron particles with a buffering matrix that provides both safety (non-hazardous classification) and cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for hazardous material infrastructure while maintaining sulfide neutralization capability
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the pH to 4-4.5 and formulating as a slurry rather than concentrated solution, the patent achieves non-hazardous status that reduces infrastructure costs while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of iron-based sulfide control
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment provides A method for making a non-hazardous iron product for treating wastewater, including: adding sodium bisulfite to a solution comprising iron, creating an aqueous solution; adding an amount of sodium hydroxide to the aqueous solution to increase the pH of the aqueous solution to between 2-2.5; determining an amount of sodium bicarbonate and adding the identified amount of sodium bicarbonate to the aqueous solution, wherein the sodium bicarbonate adjusts the pH of the aqueous solution to a desired pH; and providing a buffer to the aqueous solution to generate a slurry. Other embodiments are described and claimed.