Neutralisation of Waste Water

Process description

Alkaline wastewater is produced in a wide variety of industrial facilities. Relevant quantities of these effluents must be neutralised before being discharged into a sewage treatment plant or surface water. Many neutralisations still use mineral acids.  

Gas application

Today, safe and economical neutralisation of alkaline wastewater is carried out with carbon dioxide (CO₂). The environmentally friendly carbon dioxide prevents over-acidification and increased salt content of the water.  

Advantages of CO₂ compared to mineral acids:

• Safe and simple pH-control; over-acidification is not possible
• No handling of dangerous, aggressive acids 
• No pungent vapours and no corrosion of the surrounding plant equipment  
• No increase in salt content; relevant for discharge approval    
• Lowers corrosion risk when re-using treated water 
• No investment costs for acid storage   
• Low operating costs

Messer solution

Messer's Neutra Process allows the safe and economical neutralisation of alkaline wastewater with carbon dioxide. For the rapid and complete dissolution of CO₂ into water, Messer supplies the technology that best suits the local conditions and actual CO₂-consumption. Our broad Neutra Portfolio ranges from injection lances with nozzles for gaseous or liquid CO₂, to tube reactors and the Neutrabox technology for the injection of liquid CO₂.  For new neutralisations and in retrofits of existing plants Messer determines the CO₂ demand, draws up a process proposal and supplies the entire CO₂ plant, hardware for injection and dissolution included. Retrofits can also be tested on a trial basis. Of course, every commissioning is supervised by our experts.