Gas Chromatography

Question

Running a wastewater plant (activated sludge) at a flavors facility. Compounding, extraction and the wash related is what flows downhill. We are trying to get data on specific products that come into our plant which can be traced back to production by time logging. 
What results from a GC analyzed sample can help us point the finger at VOC's and caustic being sent to us that should be drummed off?

James Stewart · Answer

I agree with the K.I.S.S. method of backtracking the points of origin.  You could try the mentioned conductivity logging, or even pH logging.  If there are different colors of the solutions of flavors, you could also try optical spectrometry logging at a few key wavelengths.  If caustic dumping is the issue, then conductivity will catch that in spades, as would pH.

Jeff Eastes · Answer

I recommend pairing the GC analysis of some of the more suspect toxic stream/samples with treatability studies performed for those specific samples.  You could then use hard data to determine the GC profile for the waste streams that tend to be toxic for your plant.

Terry Scheurman · Answer

many years ago we had a similar issue at a large brand plant. What we did then was to take an easier path and placed a conductivity monitor at the influent to the bug plant and data logged it (actually we used a chart recorder). This gave us the time periods of dumps. We then when backwards into the streams that fed the main. The majority of the spikes were related to cleaning operations and nearly everyone was a high pH dump as well. 
The study provided an unexpected benefit. The bottle or can runs were scheduled by cases.  If 200 cases were scheduled, 200 cases were filled. Whatever else left, was dumped to waste. The process was changed to where the line was run until empty. Partial cases were sent to the lobby venting machines and given to visitors. Remember the opening words, Many years ago.
I'd still use something simple to 1st identify the major abusers and then see what is in those once isolated.

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