Industrial Wastewater Heavy Metal Treatment

Heavy Metal Removal from Industrial Wastewater

RNR Environmental develops customized treatment programs to remove or reduce targeted heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Depending on the wastewater chemistry, treatment may address lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, cadmium and other metals while also reducing suspended solids, emulsified oils, color and objectionable odors. Actual performance depends on the waste stream and must be confirmed through representative sample testing.

Instead of recommending a generic chemical program, RNR evaluates the customer’s actual wastewater. Testing is used to identify the appropriate treatment chemistry, dosage, mixing requirements and method for separating the resulting solids. Our dry-blend treatment can combine coagulation, contaminant binding and flocculation within a simplified process, helping transfer targeted metals and other contaminants from the water into a separable solid.

Applications may include metal finishing and plating wastewater, mining and remediation water, manufacturing wastewater, equipment-wash water, process water and other difficult industrial streams. Treated water can be evaluated against the customer’s goals for reuse, sewer discharge or permitted discharge. Final compliance should always be confirmed through the appropriate independent analytical laboratory.

RNR offers no-cost treatability testing on representative wastewater samples. Call 818-606-1673 or email rob@rnr-enviro.com to discuss your wastewater, target contaminants and discharge requirements.

Industrial wastewater heavy metal removal jar test showing treated water and separated solids

Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment

Metals and Contaminants We Evaluate

RNR evaluates industrial wastewater containing arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, silver, selenium, molybdenum, iron, manganese and other application-specific metals. Wastewater may also contain phosphorus, suspended solids, emulsified oils and grease, color, organic contaminants and dissolved constituents that affect treatment. Because contaminants may be dissolved, particle-bound, emulsified or chemically complexed, treatment performance depends on pH, concentration, oxidation state and the presence of competing contaminants. Representative sample testing determines which contaminants respond to treatment, the appropriate treatment chemistry and the dosage required.

How the Treatment Process Works

The customized dry blend is mixed into the wastewater to promote coagulation, contaminant binding and flocculation. Targeted metals and other contaminants are transferred from the water into larger, separable solids that can settle or be removed through filtration or dewatering. The process can simplify treatment by addressing multiple contaminants within one treatment step. Because metals are separated rather than destroyed, the resulting solids must be properly characterized, handled and disposed of according to applicable requirements.

Representative Sample Testing

Send RNR a representative wastewater sample together with any available analytical results, target discharge limits and information about the generating process. Testing can compare treatment blends and dosages, evaluate settling or filtration, and estimate material cost per treated gallon. RNR provides treatability testing at no charge; the customer is responsible for shipping the sample. Final discharge compliance should be verified by an appropriate independent analytical laboratory. Call 818-606-1673 or email rob@rnr-enviro.com to discuss sample requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Heavy-metal treatment depends on the chemistry of the actual wastewater. Contact RNR at 818-606-1673 or rob@rnr-enviro.com for a representative sample evaluation.

How are heavy metals removed from industrial wastewater?

Treatment chemistry can change, bind, adsorb or precipitate targeted metals so they can be captured within separable solids. Coagulation and flocculation then form larger particles that can settle, filter or dewater more effectively. The metals are separated from the water—not destroyed—so the resulting solids must be properly characterized and managed.

Which heavy metals can RNR evaluate for treatment?

RNR can evaluate wastewater containing lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, iron, manganese and other application-specific metals. Results vary according to metal concentration, pH, oxidation state, chelating agents and competing contaminants. Representative sample testing determines which metals respond and the appropriate dosage.

How do we know whether the treated water will meet our discharge requirements?

RNR first performs treatability testing using a representative wastewater sample and the customer’s target limits. This establishes expected treatment performance, dosage and separation requirements. Final compliance for sewer discharge, permitted discharge or reuse should be confirmed through an appropriate independent analytical laboratory before full-scale implementation.