Effective removal of 1,4-dioxane from industrial wastewater with Advanox

Companies in the chemical industry are facing stricter EU regulations regarding dioxane, a common by-product of chemical processes. This is a positive development because dioxane is persistent and toxic, can easily spread in water, and is carcinogenic. To prevent dioxane from entering nature and even our groundwater, reliable removal is necessary. This poses a challenge for companies to develop robust water treatment methods that mitigate risks and avoid downtime.

A client in the Netherlands encountered the issue that their on-site wastewater treatment could not remove 1,4-dioxane, resulting in outgoing concentrations exceeding local regulations. The permitted maximum outgoing concentration was <1 mg/L, requiring a removal efficiency of >92% to meet discharge limits.

We supported the client with an Advanox Precision reactor in their wastewater treatment. This reactor utilizes advanced oxidation to purify water from dioxane. It combines UV-C light and (sustainable) hydrogen peroxide from Nouryon, reacting with the contamination and 'burning' it in the water, breaking it down into harmless particles. We developed a customized pilot installation, extensively testing it with various dosages and variations in wastewater. This led to a final installation that effectively removes dioxane with the optimal dosage of UV-C light and hydrogen peroxide, minimizing energy waste.

Since the Advanox process requires an intensive treatment, the energy consumption (0.70 kWh/m3) is higher and the treatment extremely effective. Any residual hydrogen peroxide is not a problem for the subsequent wastewater treatment plant, in other applications it can be easily removed with minimal impact on treatment costs. The Advanox proved to be superior in water quality, CAPEX and OPEX to all other alternatives tested and researched by the customer.