Industrial Waste Management

ENE-422
3(3+0)
Neutralization and Equalization

Instructor : Dr. Zeshan Sheikh

IESE, SCEE, NUST, Islamabad, Pakistan
E-mail: zeshansheikh@iese.nust.edu.pk

Source Author: Prof. C. Visvanathan

Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM)
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Thailand
 Table of Contents
 7.1 Neutralization
 7.2 Equalization Basins
 7.2.1 Secondary functions of an Equalization Tank
 7.2.2 Sewer Lines
 7.2.3 Design Criteria
 7.2.4 Tolerance limit of the Process
 7.2.5 Design of a Equalization Tank
 List of Figures
 Fig. 7.1: Equalization process
 Fig. 7.2: Neutralization and Equalization process
 Fig. 7.3: Equalization basin
 Fig. 7.4: Tolerance limit of the process
 Fig. 7.5: Typical wastewater treatment plant flow
sheets incorporating flow rate equalization
 Neutralization and Equalization
7.1 Neutralization
Neutralization is a simple chemical reaction for acidic or alkali wastewaters.
Three types of acid wastewater:
1. Wastewater containing strong acids, whose salts are easily soluble in
water (eg. HCl, HNO₃ ), appropriate alkalis or alkaline earths are used to
neutralize such waste liquors, simple mixing with no sludge generation.
2. Wastewaters containing strong acids whose salts are highly insoluble in
water (eg. H₂SO₄ ), which could produce considerable amount of sludge.
3. Wastewaters containing weak acids (eg. CO₂, COOH).

Following neutralization processes are common:

• Utilization of the buffering capability of the receiving reservoirs,
• Mixing the acidic with alkaline wastewaters,
• Admixture of chemicals producing alkaline reactions, such as NaOH,
Ca(OH)₂ , etc.
• Filtration with neutralizing filter materials such as CaCO₃ , MgO-CaCO₃, etc.
In neutralization processes, a shift of pH value occurs (subsequent
treatment).
 7.2 Equalization Basins
1. Equalization basins are systems used to mix mechanically
wastewaters of different volume and concentration.
2. With relatively low investment and operational costs, different flow
rate and concentrations could be balanced.
3. Exceptional technical and economic advantage can be realized
with respect to the later treatment processes.

Why?
• Meet hydraulic constraints during maximum flow;
• Dilute toxic substances;
• Minimize treatment plant size, O & M cost;
• Avoid shock loading;
• Improve reliability of the units;
• Homogenization.
Where?
• At the factory;
• In the sewer system;
• At the treatment plant, after screening and de-gritting or sedimentation.
Shapes:
• Horizontal homogenization basin;
• Vertical flow homogenization basin;
• Rotary stirring and aeration basin.

Fig. 7.1: Equalization process

Example:
• For small sewage treatment plant: (1000 people)
Peak flow = 5 times average flow.
• For Large Urban areas
Peak flow = 2 times average flow.
• For Industry (e.g. Pharmaceutical waste):
Peak flow = 100 times average flow
Thus it is more significant for the Industrial Sector.

Similar phenomenon can be observed for load concentration and pH. The
wastewater treatment plant is designed for the Worst Expected Conditions.

Industrial flow rate depends on production cycle (8h), but wastewater

treatment (biological) is continuous. In the case where the fluctuation in
wastewater quality and quantity is high, it is economical to build a tank.
This will mix the wastewater discharge and withdraw at a constant rate for
subsequent treatment processes. This unit process is Equalization.
7.2.1 Secondary functions of an Equalization Tank
Following are the secondary functions of the equalization tank:
• Nutrient addition before biological treatment;
• For coagulation if chemical treatment/chemical mixing;
• For pH adjustment of chemical wastes containing high variation in pH;
• As sedimentation tank;
• As aerated Lagoon.
Where:
• Factory (Tank)
• Treatment Plant

Fig. 7.2: Neutralization and Equalization process

 7.2.2 Sewer Lines
Advantages: done in existing sewer lines by controlling the
water flow; reducing the cost of construction of an
equalization tank.

Disadvantages: when wastewater is blocked, reduction in

velocity of the flow in sewer line below the self cleansing
velocity. Particles will settle; due to the long stay of
wastewater in sewer lines, anaerobic conditions can
occur, leading to production of H₂S . H₂S . to H₂SO₄ which
leads to crown corrosion.
 7.2.3 Design Criteria
Many empirical rules.

Paulson: an equalization tank = minimum 2 hours of

peak hourly flow.

Pescod: to hold one-half process cycle (0.5).

Herison: 3 process cycle.
Neumerow: 1 process cycle.
or 1 day flow.

Best way is by Pilot Study.

 Fig. 7.3: Equalization basin

Tank volume decision will also depend on the possible treatment sequence.

Example:
• Activated sludge treatment process cannot tolerate high organic shock load.
• Trickling filter can stand high variation, so requires a smaller equalization.
 7.2.4 Tolerance limit of the Process
I. Industry A: fluctuation within the tolerance limit, no need for equalization
tank or smaller.
II. Industry B: fluctuation beyond the limit, but for a short time, so small tank
is needed.
III. Industry C: high volume of equalization tank.

Fig. 7.4: Tolerance limit of the process

 7.2.5 Design of a Equalization Tank
Assume the wastewater in flow is Qₚ(t), and the
constant withdrawn pump rate is Q ,and T is the process
cycle time.

Volume of the wastewater collected during the process

cycle is Q(t)⋅dt = ∫ΣQ(t)⋅∆t,

Volume of pumping rate is = ΣQₚ⋅t

The volume of the equalization tank is the maximum

difference between the water that has entered and the
water that has been pumped out = ΣQ(t)⋅∆t – ΣQₚ⋅t
Fig. 7.5: Typical wastewater treatment plant flowsheets
incorporating flowrate equalization
 Question
Waste fluctuation measured for every four hours. Calculate the
equalization tank volume. Wastewater has to be delivered at a cost
rate to Activated Sludge Process.

Time Interval Flow Rate (m³/h)

06:00 - 10:00 330

10:00 - 14:00 150

14:00 - 18:00 400

18:00 - 22:00 80

22:00 - 02:00 90

02:00 - 06:00 150

Thank You!