Follow
the links below to find answers for Frequently
Asked Questions about Modified Clay Media.
What
is Modified Clay Media?
Modified Clay Media is a granular OrganoClay
adsorbent material that can be used to remove
oil, grease, petroleum hydrocarbons and
other organic compounds from wastewater.
It is commonly used with a subsequent stage
of granular activated carbon to provide
high-quality wastewater treatment. Modified
Clay Media is manufactured from bentonite
clay that is chemically modified to make
it hydrophobic (water repelling) and organophilic
(oil attracting). The specific formulation
is proprietary.
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How
does it work?
It is normally manufactured as a granular material to be used in still-bed adsorption vessels. It removes hydrocarbon contaminants by adsorption as the wastewater passes through the media-filled vessels.
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What
are its indicated uses?
Modified Clay Media is most effective on
petroleum oils including crude oil, petroleum
lubricants, and fuels including the petroleum
portions of gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel
oil. These contaminants are commonly identified
in wastewater discharge permits by the EPA
as standard Oil & Grease or Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbon. The usage of MCM to remove
specific organic compounds from wastewater
other than generic Oil and Grease or Total
Petroleum Hydrocarbons should be evaluated
on a case-by-case basis.
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What
uses are not recommended?
MCM is not recommended for use in streams
containing high amounts of synthetic lubricants
or streams containing a high concentration
of surfactants or soaps. Contact Ecologix
at 888-326-2020 for stream-specific usage
recommendations.
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How
well does it work?
When MCM OrganoClay is used according to
recommendations, it is able to remove EPA
Oil and Grease or Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
to concentrations near or below detection
limits. This removal efficiency has been
documented in influent concentrations from
10 mg./L to 200,000 mg./L hydrocarbons.
It virtually assures the facility owner
that wastewater will meet discharge permit
requirements for these two standards.
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What
are the physical properties of the Modified
Clay Media?
- Bulk Density 42 to 50 lbs. per cubic foot
depending on grain size.
- Loading Factor (Design) up to 80% Hydrocarbon
per MCM by weight.
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What
is the recommended contact time?
Each vessel should allow a minimum
of 3 minutes of contact time between the adsorbent medium and the wastewater.
For those persons with a background in granular
activated carbon treatment, the recommended
contact time is equivalent to an Hourly
Space Velocity (H.S.V.) of 5.5, which will
be relatively high in their experience.
H.S.V. is defined as the flow rate equivalent
to the number of vessel volumes per hour.
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What
are the recommended vessel dimensions?
The vessel volume required to achieve a 3-minute contact time is calculated by multiplying the wastewater flow rate (volume per minute) by 60. This calculation assumes a 33% porosity (water filled volume) within the bulk medium. [If the H.S.V. is used, the required vessel volume will be flow rate (volume per hour) divided by 5.5.] - (Note: 1)
The diameter of a cylindrical vessel is calculated to provide a recommended superficial flow rate through the medium of 2gpm per square-foot of area. - (Note: 2)
The height of a cylindrical vessel is calculated by dividing the required volume by the cross-sectional area.
Note 1: In actual practice, one should follow published sizes.
Note 2: Exceeding the recommended superficial flow rate through a vessel can create excessive pressure drop in down-flow vessels. In upflow vessels, a higher flow rate can cause media upset and abrasion due to turbulent flow.
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How
should I prepare the media?
The MCM Modified Clay Media should be wetted
before use. Wetting allows water to be drawn
into the pores of each grain by capillary
action and prepares the clay surfaces to
adsorb contaminants. One acceptable method
is spraying water into the vessel with a
hose as the MCM is poured in. The water
helps consolidate the media bed and helps
prevent channeling. It also flushes fines
that may have been generated during shipping
and handling. Sixty minutes will permit
the media to adequately saturate.
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What
limits should be observed for proper usage
of MCM?
Wastewater temperature must be kept below 140º F.
The pH should be kept between 6.0 and 8.0 in order to reduce the tendency of dispersed oil to form stable emulsions. (Note: pH range does not affect the media but can affect ability of the waste stream to allow oils to naturally separate from the water.)
Wastewater Salinity:
MCM is not affected by salinity.
Wastewater must not contain high concentrations (approximately >25ppm) of free oxidizers including chlorine gas, hypoclorite, peroxide, or permanganate because they will possibly degrade the OrganoClay.
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What
are my disposal options?
M CM should be handled and disposed of in
accordance with the laws of the state in
which it is used and all applicable federal
law. Should you need assistance in finding
proper disposal options, contact our manufacturing
division at 888-326-2020. We will be glad
to help.
Depending on the nature
of the contaminant and local regulations,
spent MCM may be classified as a non-hazardous
solid waste. If lab results confirm this
determination, the spent material might
be landfilled, landfarmed, composted, or
used as a granular material fill.
Depending on the fuel
value of the material adsorbed by the product,
spent MCM may also be blended into boiler
fuel for energy recovery.
MCM cannot be thermally
regenerated in the manner of activated carbon,
but methods of bio-remediation are being
investigated.
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Are
there alternative treatment processes?
Some contaminants that resist adsorption
by the still-bed method can be removed in
a high-shear process. This process is designed
to treat compound waste streams that contain
a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds.
This method includes mixing fine (40-100
mesh) MCM with the water as well as other
materials. The exact materials and steps
used in the process are proprietary and
will be revealed on a case by case basis.
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Are
there any non-wastewater uses for ACM?
MCM is an excellent adsorbent for spills
of petroleum lubricants and fuels. The product
can also be used as a tool and parts cleaner.
Other commercial clay products marketed
for this purpose are absorbents (absorption
works like a sponge) that can release the
contaminants.
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Is
MCM safe for my employees to handle and
use?
MCM is very safe to handle and use. Its
use requires only that some precautions
be used as would be required when handling
other potential dust producing materials.
Please refer to the Material Safety Data
Sheet for MCM.
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Applications
Automotive
