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Glossary of Technical Terms Used in Environmental Health & Safety: flotables

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Flotables: The Unwanted Guests in Water Treatment

Flotables, a term commonly used in Environmental and Water Treatment, refer to floating materials found in water or wastewater that must be removed before further treatment or discharge. These unwelcome guests pose significant problems, impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment processes and potentially contaminating the environment.

What are Flotables?

Flotables encompass a wide range of materials, including:

  • Organic Matter: Leaves, twigs, grass, and other plant debris.
  • Plastics: Bottles, bags, and other plastic waste.
  • Paper: Paper products, cardboard, and packaging materials.
  • Textiles: Clothing, fabrics, and other textile waste.
  • Food Waste: Fruit peels, food scraps, and other food debris.
  • Animal Waste: Animal carcasses, feathers, and other animal byproducts.
  • Oil and Grease: Oil spills, fats, and other greasy substances.

Why are Flotables Problematic?

The presence of flotables in water and wastewater presents several challenges:

  • Interference with Treatment Processes: Flotables can clog pumps, screens, filters, and other treatment equipment, reducing their efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Impact on Water Quality: Flotables can harbor bacteria and other pathogens, posing a risk to public health. They can also contribute to the formation of unpleasant odors and aesthetic problems.
  • Environmental Contamination: Flotables can pollute waterways, harming aquatic life and disrupting ecosystems.

How are Flotables Removed?

Various techniques are employed to remove flotables from water and wastewater:

  • Screening: Coarse screens are used to remove large debris, such as leaves, branches, and plastics.
  • Skimming: Skimmers collect floatable materials from the water surface, often using a rotating drum or a stationary weir.
  • Flotation: Air is injected into the wastewater, causing flotables to rise to the surface where they can be skimmed off.
  • Centrifugation: This process uses centrifugal force to separate flotables from the wastewater.

Conclusion

Flotables are a persistent challenge in water and wastewater treatment. Proper removal is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of treatment processes, protect public health, and minimize environmental impacts. By understanding the types of flotables, their problematic nature, and the available removal methods, we can better manage these unwanted guests and maintain the quality of our water resources.

Test Your Knowledge

Flotables Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Which of the following is NOT considered a floatable? a) Leaves

Answer

This is the correct answer. Leaves are a type of organic matter, which is a common floatable.

b) Plastic bottles
Answer

This is incorrect. Plastic bottles are a common type of floatable.

c) Gravel
Answer

This is the correct answer. Gravel is denser than water and would sink, not float.

d) Feathers
Answer

This is incorrect. Feathers are a type of animal waste, which can float.

2. What is a significant problem caused by flotables in wastewater treatment? a) Improved water clarity

Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables often make the water cloudy and reduce clarity.

b) Clogging of treatment equipment
Answer

This is the correct answer. Flotables can obstruct pumps, screens, and filters.

c) Increased nutrient levels
Answer

This is incorrect. While flotables can contain nutrients, their primary problem is physical obstruction.

d) Enhanced water disinfection
Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables can harbor pathogens and hinder disinfection.

3. Which of the following is NOT a common method for removing flotables? a) Screening

Answer

This is incorrect. Screening is a widely used method for removing large debris.

b) Sedimentation
Answer

This is the correct answer. Sedimentation is used to remove heavier particles that settle at the bottom.

c) Skimming
Answer

This is incorrect. Skimming is used to collect floatable materials from the surface.

d) Flotation
Answer

This is incorrect. Flotation uses air to bring flotables to the surface for removal.

4. Flotables can contribute to the formation of which of the following problems? a) Pleasant odors

Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables often contribute to unpleasant odors.

b) Clear water
Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables make the water cloudy and reduce clarity.

c) Reduced disease risk
Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables can harbor pathogens and increase disease risk.

d) Aesthetic problems
Answer

This is the correct answer. Flotables can make the water visually unpleasant.

5. What is the main goal of removing flotables from wastewater? a) To increase the water's aesthetic appeal

Answer

This is incorrect. While aesthetics are important, the primary goal is to protect public health and the environment.

b) To improve the efficiency of treatment processes
Answer

This is the correct answer. Flotables can clog equipment and hinder treatment effectiveness.

c) To reduce the cost of water treatment
Answer

This is incorrect. While floatable removal can improve efficiency, its primary goal is not cost reduction.

d) To enhance the taste of the water
Answer

This is incorrect. Flotables do not directly affect the taste of water.

Flotables Exercise

Scenario: A wastewater treatment plant is experiencing a significant increase in the amount of floatable materials entering the system. The plant manager believes this is due to a nearby construction site where workers are disposing of debris improperly.

Task:

  • Identify 3 potential floatable materials that could be entering the wastewater system from the construction site.
  • Explain how each of these materials could negatively impact the wastewater treatment process.
  • Suggest one practical solution for preventing or reducing these floatable materials from entering the wastewater system.

Exercise Correction

Here are some possible solutions:

Potential Floatable Materials:

  1. Plastic sheeting/wrap: Commonly used in construction, this material can clog screens and filters, reducing treatment efficiency. It can also pose a risk to aquatic life if it ends up in waterways.
  2. Wood scraps: These can clog screens and filters, and their decomposition can contribute to unpleasant odors and oxygen depletion in the wastewater.
  3. Metal scraps: These can damage treatment equipment and potentially leach heavy metals into the wastewater, posing a risk to public health and the environment.

Negative Impacts on Treatment:

  • Clogging: All these materials can clog pumps, screens, and filters, reducing treatment efficiency.
  • Environmental Impact: These materials can pollute waterways, harming aquatic life and ecosystems.

Practical Solution:

  • Proper Waste Disposal: The construction site could implement a strict policy for waste disposal, including designated bins for different types of materials and regular inspections to ensure proper disposal. This could also involve educating workers about the importance of proper waste disposal and the potential environmental consequences of improper practices.

Books

  • Water Treatment Plant Design by Richard D. Wood (This book provides a comprehensive overview of water treatment processes, including floatable removal techniques.)
  • Wastewater Engineering: Treatment, Disposal, and Reuse by Metcalf & Eddy (This classic textbook covers wastewater treatment in detail, including chapters on solids removal and floatable management.)
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment: Principles and Design by Louis Theodore (This book offers a thorough exploration of water and wastewater treatment technologies, with sections on floatable removal methods.)

Articles

  • "Floatable Removal in Wastewater Treatment: A Review" by [Author Name] (This article provides a detailed overview of different floatable removal methods, their advantages, and limitations.)
  • "The Impact of Flotables on Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance" by [Author Name] (This article explores the consequences of floatable presence on treatment plant efficiency and effectiveness.)
  • "Emerging Technologies for Floatable Removal in Wastewater Treatment" by [Author Name] (This article examines new technologies and approaches for managing flotables in wastewater treatment.)

Online Resources

  • Water Environment Federation (WEF): https://www.wef.org/ (WEF is a leading professional organization in water quality and wastewater treatment. Their website provides resources, publications, and news on floatable management.)
  • American Water Works Association (AWWA): https://www.awwa.org/ (AWWA focuses on drinking water treatment and distribution. Their website offers information on floatable removal in potable water treatment.)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/ (The EPA website provides regulations, guidance, and research related to water quality, wastewater treatment, and floatable control.)

Search Tips

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