What’s In My Industrial Waste Stream?

Solvent recycling and recovery is one of the easiest ways to stay competitive.  It helps you keep solvent waste costs low while improving your organization’s environmental impact.  But is solvent recycling a viable solution for your business … or should you look into waste disposal instead?

One of the easiest ways we test recycling viability is by conducting a laboratory test of your liquid waste.  This feasibility test allows us to determine the components of your industrial waste stream or production process bi-product.

Solvent_SampleHere's an example of a laboratory test we performed to check for viability:

The customer provided a sample of their waste stream or production process bi-product.  In this test example, the sample provided was from a paper company.  The solvent to be tested was purported to contain a mix of seven solvents – but the percentages of each solvent was unclear.

The goal of the test was to recover the solvents from the waste stream while also observing the form and quantity of the residues. Of course, the objective was also to determine the best type of equipment to assist the client in recovering solvents.

Before beginning the solvent test procedure, we describe the original waste stream – we consider its appearance, colour, volume, weight and density.


Waste_Stream_Appearance

Then we begin the solvent test procedure.

In this case, we used an Omega RS-6AV to introduce the complete waste stream sample, beginning with a low oil jacket temperature and no vacuum. We observed the recovery while slowly increasing the oil jacket temperate.  Click here to view our timed observations.


What were the results?

 

labreports_clip_image006Based on our testing procedure, we were able to determine that there was none, or very little of 3-7 of the purported solvents. And although the MSDS of solvent 7 stated that a vacuum would be needed to distil the complete solvent sample, it was not actually required. In addition, the density of the distillate indicated that the constitution of the distillate is weighted towards solvent 2, and a mixture of the other solvents.

From the results of the waste sample it seems that the residues constitute only 1.5% of the waste stream. This seems relatively low and should be considered as a low value for equipment selection.

In general the solvent waste sample provided distilled easily, providing a consistently clear distillate, free of cross-contamination and coloring.

The residues remaining following the completion of the distillation process were in solid form, indicating that the final equipment will need to either have a liner bag or an internal scraper. As to the vacuum, if future waste is identical to the sample provided, the final unit will not require a vacuum. However, if the waste stream to be treated will contain solvent (7) then a vacuum system will be required in the final unit.

 

We offer free liquid waste stream testing. Like the case described above, we’ll test your waste stream for viability to determine your choices for recovery or waste disposal.

FREE  Laboratory Test  of Your Liquid Waste Stream

We're Specialists in Recycling and Disposing of Liquid Waste

If you believe your waste stream is out of the ordinary, there is no need to worry. Maratek Environmental provides laboratory testing to determine the best solution for handling your waste stream.

Recycling solutions may provide you with re-usable liquids saving your business substantially on materials used in your processes.

If recycling is not an option we have the experience and equipment to safely handle all kinds of industrial and manufacturing liquid waste streams.

Contact us today and we'll be pleased to call you back and help you towards establishing a safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly solution for your liquid waste streams.

maratek_equipment_v4_crop_resized

Get a Quote for Maratek Solvent Equipment or Services

Maratek is the Market Leader in Professionally-Engineered Solvent Recycling and Botanical Extraction Technologies.

Request a Quote