Introduction In many industrial operations, the products produced in campaigns vary greatly in their composition. This is common in waste management companies, chemical and pharmaceutical production sites, as examples. These…
Introduction A common practice in chemical or pharmaceutical plants is to collect VOC (volatile organic compounds) laden air or gas streams and treat them in one central place. for example,…
Formaldehyde, IUPAC name methanal, is the simplest aldehyde, with the formula, CH₂O. Its structure is shown in Figure 1. It occurs naturally but is toxic and highly volatile. Figure 1:…
The design or selection of the auxiliary equipment of an activated carbon filter depends on a combination of different selection criteria and must be in accordance with the local safety…
The design of an activated filter will determine the energy consumption and the activated carbon usage of an adsorption treatment system. Jacobi Services offers a complete range of compact mobile…
What is a Pourbaix diagram This section will explain the Pourbaix diagram and the parameters that influence the speciation of chemical elements in a solution such as pH Redox Ions…
Where does chromium come from? Chromium, which is evenly distributed in the earth’s crust, is obtained from chromite ores, an iron chromium oxide mineral (FeCr₂O₄). The hexavalent chromium (Cr˅ˡ⁺) is…
Definitions Odour is the property of a substance that activates the sense of smell and can cause nuisance and health damage. Companies can emit odour (emissions) to the environment that…
In certain soil remediation projects, there can be a need for purification of exhaust from air strippers, tent ventilation and even the interstitial air in the ground present naturally or…
Perchlorate is poorly abundant on earth, except combined with sodium nitrate mineral in some specific arid areas. Natural perchlorate is extracted to produce fertilisers. Perchlorate is intensively used in the…
Introduction Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless, low molecular weight gas with the chemical formula NH₃ (See figure 1). It has a pungent smell, often associated with strong household cleaners. Ammonia…
Where does nickel come from? Pure nickel (Ni) is a silvery-white metal that is rarely found as a pure metal in the earth’s crust because it will oxidise when it…
Introduction Mercury species exists in various forms: elemental (or metallic); inorganic (e.g. mercuric chloride); and organic mercury (e.g., methyl- and ethylmercury), which all have different toxic effects. Mercury poisoning can…
Where does lead come from? Lead is most commonly found as lead (II) sulphide (PbS) in the mineral galenite. Cerussite (tin-lead ore), with the chemical composition lead (II) carbonate (PbCO₃),…
The “rotten egg” odour in some water supplies is caused by sulphide in water. Sulphide can be treated using oxidation techniques, the goal being to convert the sulphide to high…
Introduction Arsine (AsH₃) is an extremely toxic gas that is generated upon exposure of arsenic-containing ores to acids. It is also a by-product of refining of non-ferrous metals. Arsine is…
Introduction Phosphine is the compound with the chemical formula PH₃. Phosphine (PH₃) is used as an intermediate in organophosphorus chemistry and as a dopant in the semiconductor industry. Phosphine (PH₃)…
Introduction The properties of land fill leachate varies widely in composition depended on different factors such as the age of the landfill and the type of waste that is stored…
The Problem Liquid Sucrose or sugar produced from beet or, occasionally, cane sugar can contain different taste or colour compounds. To combat this, a granular activated carbon process was developed…
The Problem During commissioning stages, mercury was detected in the air of a newly constructed building. Being set on a former light bulb production site, the link was quickly made…
Biogas is the mixture of gases produced by anaerobic digestion of organic biomass in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from different raw materials such as agricultural waste,…
Metolachlor is a chlorinated organic herbicide that was used for the weeding of maize and, occasionally, sunflower. Metolachlor and the metabolites ESA and OXA are present in the water resources…
It is well known that terpenes will escape in the biogas during the anaerobic digestion or of municipal waste such as citrus fruits, spices; vegetables and vegetation or essential oils…
Introduction Styrene is a monomer that is used to produce a wide variety of plastics. During storage of styrene and manufacture of these plastics, emissions of styrene can occur causing…
