Disposal of Demineralized Water 1

[wtflippin]

Does anyone have any experience with draining demineralized water to the ground? We are trying to dispose of demineralized water which would NOT be released into any "waters of the state," however, the state environmental department is dragging their feet on giving us concurrence. Can anyone prove that their is no environmental risk or does anyone currently dispose of demin water by draining it to the ground?

 

[trihydrate]

I do not have any experience, but I do have a suggestion. Mix liquid fertilizer into the demin water at the rate of 100 ppm. You no longer have demin water, just some exceptionally good quality fertilizer.

Good luck!

 

[DeltaCascade]

Demin water is valuable stuff .. curious and too bad it must be drained.
If you must dispose of it, why not mix it with another stream ... like raw water if you must and re-use it in your plant, or, blend it with a waste stream ... your waste stream quality will surely improve.

Lack of minerals (demineralized water) aint much different than distilled water, or rainwater. Shame to waste good demin water though... can't see why you need to make it and waste it?
good luck.

 

[ProjectEng]

Hey, pipe it over to us!

 

[Whoops]

200 million+ years of rainfall would suggest to me that there's little environmental risk.

 

[stressriser]

Unfortunately, it is the State you must wait for, and answer to.

 

[Visionaryscott]

I have experience with draining a demineralized water tank to the environment in the state of North Carolina. Our division of water quality has allowed us to drain a tank to the environment as long as we ask first and have a documented sample and log of quantity drained. Just like a special permit discharge. It does depend on your states policy and procedure.

 

[wtflippin]

VisionaryScott...this is the kind of experience I am looking for to build our case. We are not yet an operating plant and need the demin water for flushing piping during construction. We plan to initially flush the systems with potable water and complete the flush with demin quality water. We also have to drain the demineralizer trailers before they can leave the site. This must be a common practice as no trailers are allowed on the road without draining the water to make weight restrictions. Does everyone drain the trailers to a collection basin or does someone just drain the trailers to the ground?

 

[logoslarry]

Once used for flushing systems it is no longer demineralized water. It is waste and should be treated so. Follow local codes and you should be alright.

 

[wtflippin]

Our general construction permit, while allowing us to drain storm water, specifically prohibits draining "processed water" and according to the state agency, as soon as the city water passes through the demineralizer trailers, it becomes processed water.

 

[vintage70]

If you can show that the flushed demin water is at surface water standards you should be able to inject it, that is discharge to groundwater. How much water? What state are you in? What is the groundwater classification in your area? You need to find a general permit to do this. It's you only chance. Or else, tank the water for off-site disposal.

V

 

[EMKWR]

Just an idea, why not pass the demin water through a polishing filter (mixed bed ion exchanger or the like). It works for the return condensate of power plants, why not for the final rinse water in a cleaning step.
Edwin Muller
KEMA Power Generation & Sustainables
Arnhem, The Netherlands
E-mail e.f.muller@kema.nl
Internet:

http://www.kema-water.nl

 

[wtflippin]

Thanks to all for the comments...we have a meeting with the state agency next week to plead our case, so to speak. Our contingency plans include both a "frac" tank to collect the water and carry it offsite as well as an ion exchanger to recirc the water back into the demin storage tank. We have discussed getting the additional permit, but have been advised that there is not enough time since we need to dispose of the water by the end of next week.