Untitled record

Vessel for integrated physico-chemical cleaning

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of a vessel for integrated physico-chemical cleaning and a method for cleaning a large volume of displaceable container, such as a barge or a cargo boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large volume vessels, such as push barges and cargo boats, typically transport a type of cargo from a first location to a second location. The vessels are unloaded at the second location. In the case of a barge, the barge can be disconnected and can be replaced by another barge. Anything can be transported in the cargo hold of a vessel: bulk goods such as ore, coal or grain in bulk, but also containers. The present invention relates primarily to vessels that transport bulk material. Typical volumes of transport are in the order of 2,000-6,000 tonnes per vessel for inland navigation and up to 500,000 tonnes for ocean shipping.

After emptying the vessel, the vessel is typically cleaned. This cleaning can be done to some extent with surface water. If the load does not pose a threat to the surface water, such as in the case of gravel, the waste water can be returned directly to the surface water. In most cases, however, cleaning of the waste water is required. An important disadvantage with transport by water is that there is no cleaning installation at a location of unloading, whereby the vessel must first be moved to a location where such an installation is present. If a cleaning installation is present, it often has only a limited capacity, so that only a relatively small number of vessels can be cleaned. A cleaning installation is often only designed to clean a type of contaminated water, such as iron.

In addition, cleaning installations are often not equipped to process and / or remove contaminants themselves. In particular, regulations have meant that certain contamination must be (further) processed at a different location.

There is also often a lack of knowledge and expertise at locations of cleaning with regard to the precise requirements of cleaning of different types of waste streams.

A further disadvantage is that it is not the carrier but the owner / shipper of the load that is held responsible for the cleaning, which is at least impractical.

In view of the above disadvantages, among others, there is a need for an integrated physico-chemical cleaning system and a method for cleaning a large volume of displaceable container, such as a barge or a cargo boat, which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages, without compromising functionality and other possible benefits of such.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a vessel according to claim 1 and in a second aspect to a method according to claim 9.

The present vessel comprises means for an integrated physico-chemical cleaning, further possibly including absorption and adsorption units, for large volume of aqueous waste streams varying in type, comprising a plurality of elements in fluid communication with each other. This makes it possible to provide adequate cleaning for vessels that transported different or the same type of cargo. Moreover, the present vessel can provide cleaning at the point of unloading the cargo. This considerably shortens any waiting time.

The present vessel also has more than sufficient capacity to clean a large number of vessels successively or even simultaneously, without having to remove contaminants in the meantime.

The present vessel comprises, on the one hand, means for physical cleaning, such as filtering of grit, and, on the other hand, means for chemical cleaning, such as neutralizing or buffering a contaminated waste stream. It is furthermore important that a recirculation unit is provided. Thus, for example, cleaned water can be reused. It is noted that the present vessel cleans contaminated water to almost drinking water quality water. Thus, cleaned water is made suitable for most applications.

The present invention hereby provides a solution for one or more of the aforementioned problems. Advantages of the invention are explained in the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a vessel for integrated physico-chemical cleaning, further possibly including absorption and adsorption units, for large volume of aqueous waste streams varying in type, comprising a plurality of elements in fluid communication with each other , the elements comprising i) at least one contaminated water inlet, ii) at least one buffer device, iii) at least one chemical reactor for cleaning contaminated water, iv) at least one physical separator, v) at least one recirculation unit for returning (partially) purified water, vi) at least one water displacement unit, such as a pump and vii) an outlet for cleaned water.

The at least one contaminated water inlet is typically placed in the vessel to be cleaned. The vessel to be cleaned can bring on its own cleaning water, such as surface water, or the present vessel can take care of it. In principle, several waste streams can be cleaned at the same time, and / or several inlets can be used for bringing contaminated water on board.

In view of the chemical composition of contaminated water, it may be desirable to buffer this water, for example with a pH buffer. Other types of buffers can also be used, whether or not in combination with each other.

A chemical reactor is provided for effecting a cleaning. The reactor can be a metal vessel or a glass vessel. The vessel is preferably (made) suitable for treating contaminated water, for example by a suitable choice of material thereof, by applying a protective layer, etc.

For the separation of particles, the precipitation and separation of dissolved components, etc., at least one physical separator is provided.

As noted, the cleaned water is of very good quality. As a result, the water can be reused, for example in further cleaning steps. To this end, at least one recirculation unit is provided for returning (partially) purified water.

If the cleaned water is discharged, it can for example go to the surface water. An outlet is provided for this purpose.

In one example, the present vessel comprises one or more of viii) at least one control buffer, ix) at least one filter, x) at least one separator, xi) at least one sludge tank, xii) at least one press, such as filter press, xiii) at least one cake discharge unit, xiv) at least one measuring unit, xv) at least one control unit, xvi) at least one active filter, such as an active carbon filter, xvii) at least one ion exchanger, xviii) at least one osmosis -unit, such as a reverse osmosis unit, xix) at least one wash-rinse buffer device, and xx) at least one chemical reduction unit, such as a PAH reduction unit.

The control buffer can be used to further or after buffering purified water, so that it can be drained to surface water, for example.

The present filter is arranged to separate relatively large amounts of material. The filter may also have a bacterial effect, in order to further break down waste materials in this way.

A separator is provided to separate solid particles and water.

A sludge tank is provided for storing and settling.

A filter press is provided to dry any separated material. A cake discharge unit is provided for the cake obtained therefrom.

A measuring unit is provided for checking the properties of incoming contaminated and / or cleaned water.

A control unit is provided for controlling currents, for measuring properties, for supplying buffer, etc.

An active filter, such as an active carbon filter, is provided for the active processing of waste material.

In addition, elements such as an ion exchanger, for separating (harmful) ions, an osmosis unit, for separating harmful substances, and a reduction unit, such as for reducing PAH, are provided.

A wash rinse buffer device is also provided for rinsing various components of the present device.

In an example of the present vessel, the at least one physical separator comprises one or more of one of a coagulating device, a neutralizing device, a flocculating device, a separator, such as a lamella separator, and / or wherein the at least one filter comprises one or more of a sand filter, a membrane filter, a candle filter. A large variety of components to be separated can thus also be effectively and adequately separated.

In an example of the present vessel, the at least one buffer device is included in a first separate container, and / or wherein the at least one wash-rinse buffer device is included in a second separate container, and / or wherein at least a third separate container one or more other components are included selected from a sludge tank, a coagulation device, a neutralization device, a flocculation device, a separator, such as a lamella separator, a sand filter, a membrane filter and a filter press. A well thought-out design of the present vessel minimizes various risks, for example a risk of fire, a risk of contamination, a risk of cross-contamination, a risk of undesired discharge in the event of a calamity, etc.

In an example of the present vessel, the at least one measuring unit is selected from a pH meter, a temperature meter, a dust meter, a metal meter, such as an ars-meter (pg / l), an iron meter (mg / 1), and a manganese meter (mg / 1), a phosphorus meter (mg / 1), such as a total P meter (mg / 1), a P04 meter (mg / 1), and a P2O5 meter (mg / 1), a mineral oil meter (pg / l), such as a C10-C12 meter (pg / l), a C12-C16 meter (pg / l), a C16-C2i meter (pg / l), a C2i-C30 meter (pg / l) , a C30-C35 meter (yg / l), a C35-C40 meter (pg / l), and a total C10-C40 meter (pg / l), a poly-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAK) meter (pg / l) , such as a naphthalene meter (μg / l), a phenanthrene meter (pg / l), an anthracene meter (pg / l), a fluoranthene meter (pg / l), a benzoanthracene meter (pg / l), a benzopyrene meter (pg / l), a benzoperylene meter (pg / l), an indeno (123) pyrene meter (pg / l), and a PAH total meter (pg / l), a COD meter (mg / 1), a chloride meter (mg / l) <a nitrogen meter (Kjeldal) (mg / 1), and a dissolved sulfate meter (mg / 1). As can be seen from the list above, the present vessel is capable of cleaning a wide variety of contaminated waste streams, and adequately measuring this pollution with a desired accuracy, for example at the inlet and at the outlet, and in the cleaning process self.

In an example of the present vessel, the at least one buffer is selected from an acid buffer, a base buffer, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the present vessel is a boat, preferably a double-hulled boat.

In one example, the present vessel further comprises a steering device, a dwelling device, a .. With this, the present vessel can accommodate a crew.

This crew can move vessels from a first to a second location, and can clean another vessel at a given location, by operating the integrated physico-chemical cleaner.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for cleaning a large volume of displaceable container, such as a push barge or a cargo boat, comprising the steps of rinsing the displaceable container with water, such as with surface water, transferring the rinsing water to the vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, cleaning the rinsing water, separating pollution and cleaned rinsing water, possibly storing pollution, the possible reuse of cleaned rinse water, and the possible removal of cleaned rinse water, such as draining to the surface water.

In one example, the present method further comprises one or more of measuring initial concentrations of contamination, measuring residual concentrations of contamination, and drying contamination.

In an example of the present method, the movable container comprises residues of one or more of iron oxide, aluminum hydroxide, sulfuric acid / ammonia, coal, gravel, sand, and phosphate.

In an example of the present method, the rinsing water to be cleaned comprises a random sequence of at least two cleanings of rinsing water of iron oxide, aluminum hydroxide, sulfuric acid / ammonia, coal, gravel, sand, and phosphate. This makes the present device extremely suitable for successively cleaning large quantities of contaminated water, possibly from different sources of pollution. The present vessel is capable of automatically recognizing these sources and of performing appropriate cleaning automatically. The system chooses its own treatment steps (such as the elements through which the waste water passes), for example depending on which processing buffer is supplied. This minimizes the chance of a mistake. SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows an exemplary layout of the present vessel.

Figure 2 shows an arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES. The list below is a summary of the elements listed in Figure 1, no element 1 rinsing room 2 washing and rinsing water buffers 3 processing buffers 4 physicochemical step 1 5 physicochemical step 2 6 physicochemical step 3 7 liquid-solid separation 8 filtration particles 9 inorganic treatment 10 organic treatment 11 buffer micro filtration 12 mechanical filter 13 micro filtration 14 control buffer 15 sludge reception 16 sludge processing 17 chemical station 18 supply of washing water 19 waste disposal 20 waste water

The purpose of this waste water treatment plant (ABI) is to treat waste water in such a way that it is released during the cleaning / flushing of push barges, among other things, that the effluent complies with current environmental guidelines or environmental requirements.

Water from the rinses of the push barges is stored in rinsing water receiving buffers (SOB).

Each SOB has a gross content of 20 m3, good for approximately 1 flush. The process design of the treatment plant is based on a maximum of 2 flushes within 1 day. It is assumed that the treatment plant will only be operated during day shifts (max. 10 hours per day). This means that the treatment plant will have a nominal capacity of 4 m3 / hr. However, the design capacity has been set at 8 m3 / hr for maximum operational reliability and optimum flexibility with increasing supply in the future.

Initial parameters are derived from a total overview analysis of different types of push barges (Iron, phosphate, clinker, collection, etc.).

With regard to total heavy metals, excluding zinc, a level of 500 µg / l is used. Zinc, held at 6000 µg / l, is mentioned separately because this parameter, which is highly dependent on pH and may require a different pH than that required for other heavy metals.

The phosphate removal is based on 10 mg / l. Organic compounds in accordance with initial analyzes.

Given the changing composition, a number of treatment steps are required.

The following processes are provided: • Flushing water buffering • Physical chemical treatment (settling followed by a lamella separator) incl. Addition of coagulant and polymer • Dynamic sand filtration • Absorption agent active carbon (optional) • Softening / removal of heavy metals through ion exchange • Membrane filtration • Pumping for discharge

10 rinse water buffers of 20 m3 are provided. The rinsing water buffers have 3 functions, among others: 1. The rinsing water from the receiving buffers is pumped out batchwise to the rinsing water buffers. The purification process works optimally if the flow rate is as constant as possible. Sufficient buffer volume ensures that this flow can be kept as constant as possible. 2. The rinsing water from the receiving buffer varies greatly in quality and type of contamination. By creating sufficient buffer, it is possible to optimize the waste load and type of contamination by mixing. 3. Sufficient time is created for any water analyzes that are necessary for proper process management.

Treat the heavy metals from the incoming stream. The incoming flow for this treatment comes from one of the SOBs. Design flow rate is 8 m3 / h at incoming concentrations.

The heavy metals must be removed for> 90%.

The treatment consists of the steps: coagulation / neutralization / flocculation. After the flocculation, the formed flakes will be separated with a static lamella separator. With an available variation in chemistry, the COD content and mineral oil content are also reduced to the applicable standards.

After chemical / physical water treatment, the waste water still contains light, floating solids (such as eg colloids), dissolved ions (hardness, metals, salts) and dissolved organic components (PAHs / Mineral oil fractions).

Sand filtration is the step immediately after the physical chemical treatment. Each stream that has undergone a physicochemical treatment should preferably also receive sand filtration. Input current is a maximum of 200 mg / l of 8 m3 / h. Sand filtration is done with a self-cleaning sand filter. For a further removal of solid floating parts, first a dynamic sand filtration is used. This process is known for its simple and robust litigation. The outgoing quality is monitored by a turbidity and conductivity measurement. The latter is also used for the selection of the membrane step for further desalination of the waste water.

Sand filter dimensions (Dynasand type, provisional):

Diameter filter = 958 mm.

Filter height = 3,625 mm

Total footprint (L x W) = 1,500 mm. x 1,000 mm. NB version in RVS316L, in consultation RVS304 also possible. Transport weight filter = 400 kilograms Operational weight = 4.4 tons

Outgoing solids content is a maximum of 30 mg / L to prevent blockage of the carbon beds.

The active carbon filters must remove organic components.

Starting from clean water with only PAH and BETX: • A set of 2 filters of 2 m3 in series is generally sufficient. • A carousel setup is ideal. • Maturities of> 20,000 bed volumes could then be achievable. (NB matrix effects can negatively influence these maturities)

In an example of many more organically adsorbable components VOCs, PAHs and MBTE (as may be expected in the rinsing water of the push barges): • Larger filters (2 x 5 m3 in series) and with greater matrix diversity and strict removal requirements will probably 3 x 5 m3 in series. • A carousel setup is ideal. • Running times will then be much shorter depending on the amount of organic, the adsorbability and the desired emission requirement.

Possible supplier / cabbage type: • Cabot Norit Activated Carbon:

• Type: Norit GAC 1240 W • Packaging: big bags of 500 kg per pallet. 2 pallets on top of each other with a shrink cover.

Incoming suspended matter does not exceed 30 mg / l. Effectiveness activated carbon filter is typically> 90%. pH input is 9.0 at most.

A third column can stand by as a backup for the process. Saturated carbon will be removed for thermal regeneration and can in principle be reused afterwards.

Dimensions of tumblers:

Diameter filter = 1,228 mm.

Filter height = 3,200 mm

Total footprint (L x W) = 4,500 mm. x 1,500 mm.

Operating weight = 2.2 tons

In order to prevent the underlying membrane process from becoming contaminated by hardness precipitation and / or gypsum due to the formation of calcium sulphate, a strong acid ion exchanger has been chosen. This process does not remove all hardness but has the advantage that any residual metals are also captured. Due to the high affinity with heavy metals, it may be necessary to have the top layer of this filter replaced periodically.

In order to make interim flushing possible, a REDEX system has been chosen.

Dimensions ion exchanger softening:

Diameter filter = 1,440 mm.

Filter height = 2,500 mm

Total footprint (L x W) = 3,500 mm. x 1,500 mm.

Operating weight per filter = 5 tons

The candle filter must remove the disturbing solid components for the Reverse Osmosis installation. A candle filtration is chosen to capture the last floating parts (> 5 microns) instead of an Ultrafiltration installation to limit the costs for this step.

This installation must remove the chloride (possibly from bilge water) and nitrates / nitrites. To reduce the dissolved ions, a reverse osmosis membrane installation is used. This selectively passes certain components through and concentrates them in the retentate. The selected membrane has the following characteristics:

Chloride retention> 99%

Ammonium retention> 96%

Nitrate retention> 95%

Isopropyl Alcohol Retention> 93%

Dimensions RO:

Total footprint (L x W) = 4,500 mm. x 900 mm.

Operating weight per skid = 2 tons

A final measuring tank is provided as a control tank with pH, ​​solids and temperature measurement before discharge into surface water.

Components per process step 4.1 Rinse water collector, buffering and mixing • 2 pieces of wash-rinse buffers (01B01 / 02) • 10 pieces of buffer rinse water (01B03 to 12) • 1 piece of feed pump for rinse water buffer (01P01). In consultation, these are carried out twice for greater operational reliability. • 1 piece feed pump for physical chemical treatment (01P02) 4.2 Physical chemical treatment

The physicochemical installation consists of the following components: • 1 piece of coagulation tank (02B01) • 1 piece of neutralization tank (02B02) • 1 piece of flocculation tank (02B03) • 1 piece of lamella filter (02F01) • 6 pieces of chemical dosing pumps (02P01 to 06) • 1 sludge drain pump (02P07) • 1 flow meter • 4 pH measurements • 3 stirrers • 1 control valve

PP tanks and piping. Slat separator in stainless steel. 4.3 Dynamic sand filtration

The dynamic sand filtration installation consists of the following main components: • 1 piece of sand filter (02F02) • 1 stainless steel 316 filter tank (02B04) including internals and sand washer • 1 control panel including air flow measurement and control valve • 1 clean water water tank (02B05) including level measurements and pressurized water for feeding the underlying processes.

Currently, a RVS316L filter tank has been chosen. Depending on the corrosion conditions it is possible to opt for an RVS304 version as an alternative. The stainless steel 304 version has a lower cost price. 4.4 Ion exchanger

The ion exchanger consists of the following main components: • 2 fiberglass epoxy filter tanks including stainless steel 316L internals (03B01 / 02) • 8 diaphragm valves for filter backwashing and regeneration • 1 flow measurement for adjusting the backwash flow • 1,500 liters of resin per filter for softening and heavy metal trapping • instrumentation for trending the pressure drop • hardness monitoring on the outgoing pipe 4.5 Active carbon filtration

The activated carbon filtration consists of the following main components: • 3 fiberglass epoxy filter tanks including internal s (03B03 to 05) • 12 diaphragm valves for filter backwashing • 1 flow measurement for adjusting the backwash flow • 1 frequency-controlled backwash pump in stainless steel 316L (is also used for the ion exchangers) • instrumentation for trending the pressure drop. 4.6 Reverse Osmosis

The Reverse Osmosis consists of the following main components per installation: • 1 low pressure stainless steel 316 centrifugal pump (03P01) • 1 stainless steel candle filter (03F01) with block valves, drain and vent valves • 1 high pressure multistage centrifugal pump (03P02) • 2 glass fiber reinforced membrane housings suitable for 21 bar (03B06 / 07) • 6 spiral wound reverse 2 osmosis membranes • diaphragm valves • 2 flow measurements for adjusting the permeate, recirculation and concentrate flow • 1 conductivity measurement in the permeate line • 1 final measuring buffer (03B08) for final control of the purified rinsing water

Examples

The following describes a control for cleaning phosphate-containing water, as indicated in Figure 2. The numbers mentioned are as in Figure 1. The control principle does not differ in the supply from which reception (no. 1) the washing water is obtained. The supply pump receives a signal from the level measurement (in no.l) at which it will run or stand still.

The same principle determines the regulation from the wash-rinse water buffers (no.2). The result of this is that the processing buffers or a processing buffer (no.3) is filled. Each processing buffer preferably has its specific content, depending on the flush. If a drain valve of a processing buffer is opened, various valves will be activated depending on which valve is opened. Depending on the measurement, the routing of the water to be cleaned is determined by the cleaning system.

On the basis of the measured levels, for example phosphate content using an online phosphate measurement, the extent of the iron chloride dosage is determined. The target final pH determines a possible dosage of, in the case of phosphate, sodium hydroxide.

The sodium hydroxide pump is frequency controlled. The pump is automatically switched on / off, the suction and discharge valves are manually operated (so normally open). The amount of NaOH to be dosed is controlled with a pH control. The pump capacity is controlled by a process control system (PLC), by means of a frequency control (thus increasing or decreasing the speed determined capacity).

The iron chloride pump is frequency controlled. The pumps are automatically switched on / off, and the associated valves are manually opened / closed.

The quantity is controlled by the PLC with the signal from the Phosphate measurement and the flow measurement (freight). The number of liters per hour of ferric chloride is determined with the formula: {[Flow rate (m3 / h) x concentration (mg / 1)] / 1000} / 0.32775. This is done with an I / O arrangement in mind. The pump capacity is controlled by a process control system (PLC), by means of a frequency control (thus increasing or decreasing the speed determined capacity).

In the case of phosphate, it is not necessary to go through the entire system. Through a specific valve, in this case the phosphate, the system chooses its route. Because the valve is connected to each other by means of a control, there is recognition of mutual positions.

In the case of phosphate, elements No. 4/5/6/7 and 8 are run through. From element no.8, through the automated valves, the water will go directly to the control buffer no.14 and then be reused / discharged.

Such a concept is used with every supply from no.1. Elements and a route are automatically selected depending on the matrix.

The invention has been described in detail above and can best be understood in conjunction with the figures and examples.

For commercial purposes, one or more variants of the present invention may be used, which may be similar to those already disclosed in the present specification and which are in the spirit of the present invention.