A wastewater stream containing 6.8 wt% phenol is used to simulate waste from a steel industry coking process. The wastewater stream is pumped up and continuously extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide. The remainder of the process is a series of flashes and distillation columns which produce carbon dioxide for recycle, purified phenol, and treated water (less than or equal to 39 ppb phenol, as specified in 40CFR, Section 268.48). The key issue in this design is the proper choice between flash and distillation and the sequencing of these separation steps.
This process would be an interesting one-semester design project. Material available on this project includes a project report, PFDs, economic optimization results and P&IDs. Instructors can obtain this information by contacting Professor Shaeiwitz.
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