Thomas Link Guggenheim

Purification and utilization of a formerly incinerated sodium nitrite bearing wastewater stream

Abstract A process to isolate and purify an industrial aqueous sodium nitrite bearing by-product stream was developed and built. This process stream was formerly incinerated at significant cost. Biotreatment, supercritical water oxidation, nanofiltration, molten salt oxidation, and carbon treatment were explored as alternative remediation processes. Aspects of these technologies are discussed. Ultimately, it was found that activated carbon purification of the nitrite bearing wastewater was the most economical and safest methodology to produce a product that was found to have utility in the market place. Key elements and the environmental impact of the carbon-based technology are presented.