Solid waste brine sludges

Wastewater streams from the utility functions include boiler and cooling tower blowdowns and waste brine and sludge produced by demineralizing and other water treatment systems. The quantity and quality of the wastewater streams depend on the design of the systems and the water source. These streams usually contain high dissolved and suspended solids concentrations and treatment chemicals from the boiler and cooling tower. The blowdown streams also have elevated temperatures. 

Brine polishing filters (Section T.5.4.2) usually employ solid filter aids, which become part of the disposal problem. Their most obvious effect is to add to the volume of solids requiring disposal. Since most filter aids are cellulosic or siliceous, again the toxic hazard is quite low. The operator handling these wastes, however, should be familiar with their detailed analyses, because trace contaminants (e.g., metals in the filter aids) may need special attention. The filtered solids are of approximately the same composition as the clarifier sludges discussed in Section 16.5.1.3. 

---