Question:
Suggest suitable mechanisms for waste management in fertilizer industries.
Solution:
Fertilizer industries produce mainly two types of wastes (a) Gaseous (b) Effluents. Additionally they may release heat and fuel waste if coal is being used as a source of energy.
- Gaseous Wastes: They are passed through wet scrubbers to dissolve the pollutant gases.
- Effluents: The effluents of the industry are tested for chemicals present in them. The same can be retrieved and made available to the market. Hot effluents are cooled. Acidic or alkaline nature can be corrected. Heavy metals and toxins can be separated. Only treated and harmless effluents are allowed to be discharged into surrounding environment.