Clean Harbors and MANTECH initiated a trial project at the Guelph treatment plant in November 2014. The goal was to establish a correlation between the PeCOD and the dichromate COD (CODCr) method, and with the BOD5 test. Samples were prepared in duplicate to test both COD methods. Samples were sent periodically to an accredited laboratory to gather BOD data. Results showed a strong correlation between the PeCOD and dichromate COD for both untreated truck delivered wastewater and treated effluent samples.
Across different industry wastewater samples, there was a stronger correlation between PeCOD and BOD5, versus CODCr and BOD5. Upon a successful 45-day testing period, Clean Harbors decided to invest in an automated PeCOD system to replace the CODCr method.
Culverwell explained that, “we run a 16-hour per day operation, so retention time on the majority of our waste is less than 24 hours. Timing on the PeCOD is critical for us. With the PeCOD we can get results in 15 minutes, allowing us to turn over our processing tanks much quicker, and process more waste without increasing the size of our tank farm.”
Clean Harbors ordered an automated system, which allows multiple samples to be run in a single batch and has the capability to add a priority sample whenever required. Another advantage of the MANTECH system is that calibrations and quality control checks can be started-up and run before the analyst arrives.
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Regarding the positive effect on operational efficiency, Culverwell says that, “it really helps drive the efficiency of the operators here. We run a batch process, with every batch being processed on an individual basis. Therefore, you have an operator determining what the dosage of chemicals and coagulants dispensed into the tank is going to be. The more knowledge you can equip the operator with, the better the treatment result.”
Ian Culverwell is with Clean Harbors. Nicole Visaggio and Robert Menegotto are with MANTECH. This article appeared in ES&E Magazine’s September/October 2015 issue.
Interesting article outlining BOD determination. There are also zero liquid discharge treatment options: http://www.saltworkstech.com/brine-management-zero-liquid-discharge/
I used to work at that facility from 1990 to 1994. The hard cap on BOD and our inability to test for it was a limiting factor for our production. I’m glad that they have a quick test to determine BOD.