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ALKA-Mag+ Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is a safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective alkalinity agent for treating wastewater in the collection system to control odor and corrosion associated with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other organic acidic contaminants.
ODOR AND CORROSION IN SEWER LINES
As the infrastructure in the United States continues to age it has become increasingly apparent that improved understanding, maintenance, and treatment for sewer line odor and corrosion is extremely important.
It is not uncommon for a concrete lined sewer pipe to have severe gas-phase corrosion in the upper half of the pipe, often to the point that the only thing remaining is re-bar.
Yet, what is often ignored, is that corrosion in sewer networks is entirely preventable using a cost-effective treatment that eliminates both odor and corrosion in the collection system, while providing beneficial treatment to the downstream water reclamation facility (WRF).
THE SOLUTION ALKA-Mag+
for odor control in collection systems.
ALKA-Mag++ Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) is a safe, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective alkalinity agent for treating wastewater in the collection system to control odor and corrosion associated with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other organic acidic contaminants.
Download the product data sheetIt is fed as a slurry product into a collection system pump station or at an injection point immediately upstream of a pump station or the headworks.
The industry standard for odor control treatment involves the use of nitrate-containing products that encourage wastewater microorganisms to denitrify NO3– into nitrogen gas (N2), which is an odorless, noncorrosive gas.
Unfortunately, these products drive excessive growth of bacteria in the collection system, resulting in biomass and FOG accumulation and decreased pumping rates of lift pumps, and require frequent cleanings that can be maintenance intensive.
Magnesium hydroxide works by providing a strong buffering of hydroxide ions (OH–) into the treated wastewater to increase the pH. As a weak acid, H2S exists in a dynamic equilibrium with its deprotonated counter-anion, HS–, according to the following equation.
H2S < – > HS– + H–
By boosting the pH, sulfide is held in solution as the nonvolatile HS- anion. Therefore, by buffering the pH to a slightly higher level, the sulfide is converted from a gaseous, corrosive, and stinky molecule (H2S) to a water soluble ion (HS–) that does not contribute to odor or corrosion.
The strong buffering nature of Mg(OH)2 results in excellent odor and corrosion control performance even under conditions of long detention times.
Additionally, the boost in pH and alkalinity improves microorganism activity in the wastewater treatment plant.
There have been instances where a treatment plant experiencing a new NPDES permit with a reduced nitrogen discharge limit would traditionally choose to treat with caustic soda at the plant (to counter alkalinity loss from nitrification), while feeding a nitrate product for odor control in the collection system.
However, the use of Magnesium Hydroxide in the collection system allows for the replacement of both chemicals – providing effective odor, corrosion and FOG control in the collection system, while maintaining sufficient alkalinity all the way through the treatment plant.
Key benefits of ALKA-MAg+
Cost
Mg(OH)2 is a low cost alternative to other odor control treatments, is manufactured locally by IER, and is delivered using dedicated personnel and equipment.
Odor Control
Mg(OH)2 provides strong buffering to boost the wastewater pH, converting H2S from a gaseous, corrosive, and stinky molecule to a nonvolatile water-soluble ion (HS-) – no odor or corrosion.
Wastewater Treatment Benefits
The boost in pH and alkalinity from Mg(OH)2 in the collections system improves microbiological performance at the treatment plant. In cases involving nitrification, this may eliminate the need for hazardous caustic soda (NaOH) at the plant. At the same time, Mg(OH)2 can provide solids settling and sludge compaction benefits – often reducing polymer usage.
Safety
Mg(OH)2 is nonhazardous and completely safe for operators to handle and for treating wastewater microorganisms. Mg(OH)2 dissolves only when it encounters acidity, unlike NaOH which immediately releases OH– to burn operator’s skin and eyes. While the pH can rapidly spike if NaOH is overfed, the overfeed of Mg(OH)2 will safely buffer the pH up to 8 or 9. This “controlled release” trait of Mg(OH)2 is a primary driver for acceptance as the ideal buffering agent for collection system odor and corrosion control.
FOG Control
Mg(OH)2 treatment removes biomass in the sewer line and accumulated FOG mats in lift station sumps, unlike nitrate-based products that foster biomass growth.
IER’s Magnesium Hydroxide product, ALKA-Mag+ (60% Mg(OH)2), is safe to handle and completely nonhazardous.
The slurry must be maintained in an agitated chemical storage tank in order to ensure ease of product feed. Secondary containment is not required.
The slurry freezes at 32°F. Precautions to prevent freezing in the metering pump and feed line must be taken. IER supplies agitated trial storage tanks to determine cost savings while confirming safety and feed reliability – allowing customers to gain a clear understanding of how Mg(OH)2 will affect their overall system before deciding to make a permanent transition.
IER can supply ALKA-Mag+ in bulk (3,800 gallons) and IBC totes using trained and dedicated IER personnel and equipment.
Solutions
IER offers safe, cost-effective and earth-friendly wastewater treatment alternatives, with a multitude of benefits:
Hydrogen sulfide sequestration
Unlike other agents, which can be costly, potentially hazardous, and targeted at a single issue, ALKA-Mag+ offers a safe and cost-effective strategy for managing H2S.
Read more
Odor & corrosion control
Unlike other agents, which can be costly, potentially hazardous, and targeted at a single issue, ALKA-Mag+ offers a safe and cost-effective strategy for managing odor.
Read moreCUSTOMER STORIES
August 14, 2020 \ ACTI-Mag \ Improving the Sustainability of Water Treatment \ Municipalities
Odor control using Magnesium hydroxide at South Coast Water District, Orange County 
Magnesium hydroxide reduces the odor to manageable levels at South Coast Water District, Orange County, United-States.
December 14, 2018 \ ACTI-Mag \ Improving the Sustainability of Water Treatment \ Municipalities
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in wastewater odor control case study, El Centro
Magnesium hydroxide ( Mg(OH)2 ) reduces the odor to manageable levels at El Centro, Southern California, United-States.
High quality products | Proactive customer service
We take pride in providing high-quality products, technical credibility in the applications of water, process water, and wastewater treatment, dedicated delivery specialists and equipment, and proactive on-site technical service.
SUPPORTING WATERAID
Because we truly care about sanitation
Almost 2 billion people do not have a decent toilet or access to basic and safely managed sanitation. In many cases, faeces and urine end up untreated in the environment, contaminating it and threatening people’s health.
This is why IER supports WaterAid programs, to facilitate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.
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