Water Treatment in Plastic Bottle Recycling Wastewater

What is Plastic Recycling Wastewater Treatment?

Water treatment in plastic bottle recycling wastewater is part an important part of the plastic recycling process. Over the last 50 years, the use of plastic has increased dramatically but we are learning the cost to our oceans and wildlife since plastics and microplastics are everywhere – and they can last a very long time.

In order to reduce the impact of escalating amounts of plastic in the environment, recycling has become increasingly important. Not only does it reduce the amount of free-flying plastic to dump but it also allows us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We can also reuse the water element of the wastewater.

How do we recycle wastewater containing plastics?

The basic system means separating the water from the solids which settle to the bottom of the tanks and can be removed as sludge. The cleaner water can then undergo further filtering to remove any remaining contaminants and reused. The sludge is then disposed of by burning or landfill.

 What is the process of a plastic recycling wastewater system?

Primary treatment processes for the wastewater starts when it enters a wastewater tank. From here it is pumped into a wastewater treatment plant reacting tank. There the ph is adjusted and coagulants added. These chemicals neutralise the negative electrical charge on suspended particles. This allows the colloids to come together, making small solid particles.

Flocculants are added to make these small particles of suspended solids clump together in flocs. These are heavier than the water and sink to the bottom of the tank – forming sludge.

In secondary treatment, the sludge can be removed and the clarified water sent on for further treatment and reuse. Our conical sludge tanks make the removal of sludge easy since it sinks to the bottom of the cone.

Air floatation

Since many plastics are lightweight, air floatation methods might be used in the initial stages of wastewater treatment. A high-velocity stream of air is directed onto the falling wastewater and the light debris collected in an extraction hood to be disposed of.

Filter presses

Dewatering the sludge means reducing the percentage of water in it. Filter presses work by squeezing the sludge between two plates thus forcing out excess water – and is very suitable where plastic recycling wastewater treatment is needed. The sludge remaining is solid, compact and ready for landfill disposal. The water can be reused after any necessary treatment to make it fit for purpose.

COD compliance

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) measures the total chemicals in the water that can be oxidised and here are legal limits to the amounts that can be released in the water. You can find details here.

Water Treatment Tanks for in Plastic Recycling Wastewater

Enduramaxx manufacture plastic tanks are suitable for every stage in the process of plastic recycling wastewater treatment. You can view our range of chemical tanks and mixer tanks for water treatment chemicals as well as equalisation tanks for storage of wastewater prior to treatment.

Our holding tanks and chemical tanks for the chemicals used to settle the sediments in the wastewater are all made from non-reactive, durable plastic, with no seams and no joints, in a wide range of sizes. We can supply the pipework, flanges, valves to tanks to fit into other process machinery.

Our experts will be happy to discuss your needs for storage tanks for plastic recycling wastewater treatment. To find out more please call 01778 301527.

 Main image source Istock, Istock