Biochemical Oxidation of Wastes from
the New Plant for Manufacturing
"Orion" * at Waynesboro, Virginia
"J
FOLGER TAYLOR, Senior Research Chemist
G. C. GROSS, Senior Research Chemist
C. E. JONES, Chemist
Textile Fibers Department
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. , Inc.
Waynesboro, Virginia
R. F. ROCHELEAU, Waste Consultant
Engineering Department
E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. , Inc.
Wilmington, Delaware
The geographical location of the Waynesboro Works of the E. I. du Pont
de Nemours Company, Inc. , is such that it poses a considerable problem in
the disposition of industrial waste. Located on the South River at the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River there are only 144 sq miles
of watershed above the plant and in the summer time stream flow is very low.
The 10-year recurring seven-day minimum is 26 cfs above the plant and 54
cfs below the plant after augmentation by processing waters from springs and
wells. In order to construct a plant to manufacture "Orion" at this location
it was necessary to build extensive waste treatment facilities to meet the requirements of the Virginia State Water Control Board with regard to stream
pollution.
These facilities consist of a catalytic oxidation unit which completely
oxidizes the organics associated with the recovery of dimethylformamide
(DMF) and the first activated sludge treatment plant in the company for the
oxidation of dilute organic materials such as acrylonitrile, dimethylformamide, and formic acid.
A previous paper(1) describes the catalytic combustion unit, so no further
discussion of the unit will be undertaken here.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Before the design of a plant could commence three major questions had
to be answered.
What is the quantity of BOD that can be discharged to the river and still
meet the requirements of the State Water Control Board?
What will be the waste load of the process, both quantity and composition?
Are the wastes treatable by biochemical oxidation using an activated
sludge process?
The first question was arbitrarily answered. After examining the overall
waste situation at the works it was decided to allot 1/4 or 1,000 lbs of BOD
per day of the state approved discharge to the manufacture of "Orion. "
* Trademark for du Pont acrylic fiber
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