If you’re reading this with a keen interest, you’ve probably got a problem. Mercury!
Any detectable mercury, the present limit is .0002 ppm, takes your plant out of
compliance. You are now subject to surcharges and are headed into a mercury
compliance program. This problem came out of the blue and now you are testing
everything in the hopes that you can find the source of this mercury and eliminate it.
The problem is that point sourcing doesn’t seem to work. The mercury contamination
probably shows no strong correlation to any particular source or combination of
media. It won’t be found in the oils or on the parts that come in to be finished. If you’
re diligent, you will also find that significant contamination will show up in the analysis
of dirt from motor fans. This is to say, it appears to be everywhere. Believe me, I’ve
been through this and you have all my sympathy.
What makes this even more interesting, if you discount pH, is the lack of any
regulated chemicals used in the common metal finishing process. This isn’t rocket
science. If you didn’t bring in the mercury then it comes from an existing condition.
Think about this one. It was not until the detectable limit was lowered for mercury that
finishing shops became aware of the problem.
The mercury contamination comes from the liners of the vibes. Call the
manufacturers of your vibes and they will tell you that mercury was a key part of the
chemical makeup of these liners. It wasn’t a problem then because the analytical
detection of mercury at such low levels was not possible. The short answer is that
you aren’t doing anything wrong. The times have changed and you will simply have to
change with them.
Hopefully, you knew the source of this problem and were searching for a wastewater
treatment solution. This is where I come in. Finishing plants don’t generally use
prohibited chemicals. There isn’t much reason for them to be up on industrial
wastewater treatment. It is for this reason that some of the solutions people have
found for this problem are so expensive. Mercury is such an onerous problem that
solutions, no matter how expensive, will be taken on if the tests come back showing
no mercury.
Maybe you’ve heard this one. Drop the pH to 2 then raise it to 12. Take the pH back
down to 7, add cationic and raise it to 9, add anionic polymer and viola – no mercury.
The problem is there is no more cash either. It does work, however. It works even
better at allowing chemical reps to drive Cadillacs.
Depending on the situation, I can devise simpler solutions or help guide you through
the thickets of solutions offered by various manufacturers. I’ve worked in wastewater
for twenty five years and I have a reputation for finding elegant solutions to odd
problems. If you don’t believe me, you can talk to those whom I’ve worked with or for.
Unlike most, I’m willing to talk with you about your problem at no charge. Be prepared
to answer questions about your sampling process, flows, industrial processes, media,
chemicals and dosages and what kind of mercury numbers you are getting from your
tests.
You can contact me by clicking at the top of this page and leaving your information on
my contact sheet.
Once again: it ain’t as bad as it seems.
| Mercury It ain't as bad as it seems |