WASTEWATER TREATMENT

SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

The process of removing contaminants from wastewater or sewage and returning it to the water cycle requires a supplemental carbon source to feed anaerobic bacteria that break down harmful nitrate. Accelerating the activity of such bacteria with organic carbon compounds is called denitrification. As the most commonly used carbon source for denitrification, methanol plays an imperative role in reducing the environmental impact of wastewater effluent. Effects caused by excess nitrogen in aquatic environments include emissions of toxic nitrous oxides otherwise released by bacteria and formation of sludge which causes algal bloom, blocking crucial rays of sunlight from reaching marine life below the surface. A report published by the Methanol Institute that examined alternative carbon sources for denitrification using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology revealed that methanol was the most suitable external carbon source for wastewater treatment, outperforming ethanol and acetic acid. The low COD:N dosing requirement makes methanol the most cost-efficient external carbon source that also generates the least amount of solids.

Using Vulcanol for treating wastewater thus significantly reduces the release of harmful emissions, contributing to the attainment of government reduction targets or corporate social responsibility objectives. Furthermore, Vulcanol offsets the CO2 emitted by the bacteria itself, which therefore qualifies the waste product, a form of sludge, as a feedstock for production of waste-based biofuels. As a result, Vulcanol used in wastewater treatment can also be considered as an indirect feedstock enabling the production of valuable biofuel.

CRI has since 2016 regularly supplied methanol to partners within the waste-water treatment industry in Sweden.

For information regarding commercial terms and availability, contact our sales team by pressing the contact button below.