Treatment of wastes from the organic chemicals manufacturing industry

Organic chemical industries produce a variety of products derived from crude oil, natural gas, or wood. The organic compounds obtained are further used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, drugs, surface coatings, solvents, detergents, insecticides, herbicides, explosives, and countless specialty chemicals. Process contaminated water comprises of 10%-20% of the total water intake in the plant, whereas about 80% are being used for cooling purpose and can be reused after providing primary treatment in most cases. The organic chemical manufacturing industries emit chemicals to air (fugitive and direct), water (direct and run-off), and land, many of which may be categorized as hazardous manufacturing wastes. The complexity of the waste generated depends on the feedstock used, process or equipment, storage/handling, and housekeeping practices employed within the plant. This chapter covers the classification of organic chemicals manufacturing industry, manufacturing process 374description for the various products, sources of emission in the manufacturing plant, suitable pollution prevention measures adopted by the organic chemical manufacturing industry, and available end-of-pipe treatment technology for treatment of the manufacturing effluents generated from such industries.