Application of modified wastes from phenol‐formaldehyde resin and expanded polystyrene in sewage treatment processes

Abstract

Abstract A solution to environmental pollution by polymer plastic wastes can be their chemical modification in to useful products. Such a new solution is the obtaining of effective flocculants for sewage treatment from chemically modified phenol‐formaldehyde resin production wastes (SE and NS novolak) and expanded polystyrene wastes. Comparative analysis of flocculation properties was performed for amino derivatives of novolak wastes, synthesized sulphonated derivatives of novolak and expanded polystyrene wastes, of standard polyacryloamide and for Praestol commercial polyelectrolyte. Amino derivatives and sulphonated derivatives of polymer plastic wastes, having properties of anionic type polyelectrolytes, exhibit good flocculation properties in purification processes of sewages with a chemical composition close to that of found in the water circulating system power plant, coal‐mine, and steel plant. Application of synthesised flocculants caused a decrease of turbidity, concentration of solved impurities and improved quality parameter of purified water. It was found that synthesised polyelectrolytes could be used in industrial water treatment processes.