Chemical Technology February 2016

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Seaweed-based flocculent technology to recover water from oil waste
A pilot project has started up in the Middle
East that aims to use a biodegradable floc-
culent made from seaweed to help recover
water from oil waste.
Norway-based Sorbwater Technology AS
has started a trial with the aim to achieve
zero liquid discharge (ZLD) and recover fresh
water for reuse.
Produced water is being cleaned using
Sorbwater’s technology from an oil-in-water
content of about 100 ppm down to 1 ppm
oil in water. The trial is in the range of
400 bbl/day.
The idea is that a desalination process
can then follow to remove salt from the water
so it can be reused as process or wash water.
The pilot commenced in January 2016
and if successful, the Sorbwater system will
be deployed in several plants, with each
installation treating between 200 000 –
300 000 bbl/day of produced water.
Approved by the Norwegian Institute
of Public Health for use in drinking water
treatment, the supplied Sorbfloc® flocculent
technology is extracted from seaweed and is
from the hydrocolloid family, able to attach
to even the smallest particles or oil droplets
in water, the company said.
It is characterised by cross linking ca-
pabilities that, when activated accord-
ing to Sorbwater’s process, “instantly
and irreversibly flocculate pollution
in water to large, easy separable
super-strong flocks”, according to
Sorbwater.
Sorbfloc® is characterized by excel-
lent cross linking capabilities. These
capabilities, when activated according
to the Sorbwater Process, instantly and
irreversibly flocculate pollution in water to
large, easy separable super strong flocks.
Sorbwater Technology AS has developed IPR
and utilisation of the product in water
treatment processes which until now has
been considered impossible
to treat with such cross linking hydrocolloids.
The brand is also licensed to Sorbwater’s
production and development partner, FMC
Corporation, PH, USA.
Sources:
and-wastewater-international.html
FOCUS ON WASTE
MANAGEMENT
Waste management in South Africa is chang-
ing. With the growing need for organisations
to be more sustainable and incorporate re-
sponsible waste management practices, the
Institute of Waste Management of Southern
Africa (IWMSA) will yet again be at the fore-
front of helping organisations incorporate
these practices with their flagship conference,
WasteCon. The WasteCon 2016 conference
and exhibition will take place from 17–21
October 2016 at Emperors Palace in Gauteng.
This year’s conference and exhibition
marks the 23rd biennial WasteCon event
and is the largest of its kind in Africa. “The
IWMSA’s Central Branch is hosting the con-
ference with the theme ‘The Changing Face
of Waste Management’,” says Prof Suzan
Oelofse, President of the IWMSA.
By working towards more sustainable
waste management practices, South Africa
will see a reduction in greenhouse gas emis-
sions, extended lifespan of landfill sites and
useful recycling and compost products that
ultimately safeguards natural resources.
WasteCon 2016 will be a premier show-
case of sustainable waste management so-
lutions with topics such as: alternative waste
treatment technologies; community-based
waste collection; diversion versus minimisa-
tion; integrated waste facilities; the circular
economy; and waste-to-energy; innovation in
waste collection and transport systems; Mu-
nicipality experiences implementing recycling
initiatives; awareness campaigns on waste;
and state of the art landfill design, construc-
tion and rehabilitation, to name but a few.
“National and international specialists
will be present to share best practices and
showcase innovation in the industry – making
it a must for all individuals and organisations
operating in the waste management field,”
mentions Oelofse.
Formore information onWasteCon 2016, please
visit . For more informa-
tion on the IWMSA visit .
The changing face of waste management