Key Points for the Correct Use and Safety Management of Water Treatment Chemicals

The use effect of water treatment chemicals depends not only on the selection of chemicals, but also on the correct use methods and standardized safety management. Improper use methods may lead to chemical failure, reduced treatment effect, and even safety accidents; lack of effective safety management may cause harm to the health of operators and the ecological environment. This article will detailedly elaborate on the correct use methods and safety management key points of water treatment chemicals, providing practical guidance for enterprises and operators.

In terms of correct use, first of all, it is necessary to do a good job in the pretreatment and dilution of chemicals. Most water treatment chemicals such as polyaluminum chloride and polyacrylamide need to be diluted before being added. The dilution ratio needs to be accurately controlled according to the type of chemicals, water quality and treatment goals. For example, the dilution concentration of polyacrylamide (PAM) is generally 0.1%-0.5%. During dilution, it is necessary to stir slowly to avoid generating a lot of foam, which will affect the dissolution effect of the chemical; the dilution ratio of polyaluminum chloride is usually 1:10. After dilution, it needs to stand for a period of time until the chemical is completely dissolved before adding. At the same time, attention should be paid to the order of chemical addition. For example, in coagulation treatment, coagulants should be added first, and flocculants should be added after the colloidal particles agglomerate. If the order of addition is reversed, the flocculation effect will be seriously affected.

Second, it is necessary to accurately control the chemical dosage. Insufficient dosage will lead to poor treatment effect and failure to achieve the goal of water purification; excessive dosage will increase the treatment cost, and may also lead to excessive residual chemicals in water, causing secondary pollution. Therefore, in practical use, the optimal dosage must be determined through small-scale tests, and adjusted in a timely manner according to the real-time changes of water quality. For example, in municipal sewage treatment, if the content of suspended solids in the incoming water suddenly increases, it is necessary to appropriately increase the dosage of flocculants; if the pH value of the incoming water changes, it is necessary to adjust the dosage of coagulants synchronously to ensure stable treatment effect.

In terms of safety management, the primary task is to do a good job in the safety protection of operators. Most water treatment chemicals are corrosive and irritating, and some are toxic. Operators must wear protective equipment such as acid and alkali resistant gloves, protective glasses and protective clothing when contacting chemicals to avoid direct contact of chemicals with skin and eyes. If chemicals accidentally come into contact with the skin, rinse immediately with a lot of water; if they accidentally enter the eyes, rinse with water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention in time. At the same time, regular safety training should be carried out for operators to improve their safety awareness and emergency response capabilities.

Second, it is necessary to standardize the storage and transportation of chemicals. Different types of water treatment chemicals need to be stored separately to avoid mixed storage and prevent chemical reactions between chemicals. For example, acidic chemicals (such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid) and alkaline chemicals (such as sodium hydroxide, lime) need to be stored separately, and the storage environment should be dry, ventilated and cool, away from fire and heat sources. During transportation, transport vehicles that meet the requirements should be selected, and the sealing treatment of chemical packaging should be done well to prevent chemical leakage. At the same time, obvious safety warning signs such as "corrosive substances" and "toxic substances" should be posted in the storage and transportation areas to remind relevant personnel to pay attention to safety.

In addition, it is necessary to do a good job in the treatment of chemical waste. Chemical packaging materials (such as plastic barrels, glass bottles) need to be recycled and cannot be discarded at will; waste chemicals or chemical diluents need to be treated to meet the environmental discharge standards before discharge, so as to avoid direct discharge causing pollution to soil and water. At the same time, enterprises need to establish a sound safety management system, regularly inspect the use and storage of chemicals, and timely eliminate potential safety hazards to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of water treatment work.