Efficient Plant April 2021 - 27

feature | solution focus
traditional treatment into one step for better
precipitation and settling of contaminants.
Available in granular, semi-granular, and
powdered varieties, the material can be
introduced to a waste stream with a dry
feeder, making it adaptable to various
treatment systems, including batch and
continuous flow.

THE PROCESS
After obtaining a representative sample of
the wastewater, CETCO technicians perform a treatability study at one of the company's global R&D centers. Coupled with
local discharge limits, the optimal RM-10
flocculant blend that balances effectiveness
with cost is determined.
Collecting and analyzing samples in
an off-site laboratory makes it possible to
assess more treatment options. There are
approximately 60 versions of RM-10 flocculants. CETCO calculates the cost per gallon
and compares it to the customer's current
cost, arriving at an ROI for the purchase
of any equipment and chemistry. Once the
treatment method is determined, running a
larger-scale test generates enough solids to
run an in-house TCLP test.
RM-10 flocculants are bentonite-based.
The clay platelets encapsulate metals during
flocculation. Pozzolonic reactions occur
between the bentonite, proprietary ingredients, and the precipitated metal hydroxides,
binding the sludge chemically and physically, further reducing how much metal can
leach out. Because of this, CETCO is able to
reliably pass the TCLP test.

THE SOLUTION
Based on the study for the Wisconsin
operation, CETCO identified a plan to
lower the pH by adding less than a pound
of RM-10 flocculants/100 gal. of wastewater.
The treatment plan reduced phosphorus,
allowing the client to meet their new 0.1ppm discharge limit. The facility replaced
their rotary vacuum system with a CE-400

APRIL 2021

EP2104fsolfocus.indd 27

Above. RM-10 flocculants are wastewater treatment products that break up oily emulsions and remove
inks, oils, metals, and suspended solids from contaminated waste streams, such as this stream from the
Wisconsin plant.
Below. A single-step treatment process generates clean water and a non-leaching sludge that passes the
TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure).

automatic wastewater treatment machine,
which allowed treatment of all 3,000 gal. of
wastewater before noon each day with only
one part-time operator.
The simple treatment also eliminated
diatomaceous earth and lime from the
process, saving the company more than
$50,000 annually. Additional cost savings
were obtained through reduced labor,

resulting in an ROI of less than a year.
The time and cost improvement over
the previous 24-hour operation and the
comprehensive RM-10 treatment using
RM-10 flocculants allows the facility to be
consistently compliant with all wastewater
discharge limits, including phosphorus. EP
For more information, visit mineralstech.com
EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM |

3/30/21 9:47 AM

http://www.mineralstech.com http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM

Efficient Plant April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Efficient Plant April 2021