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NAME: Anadigics
LOCATION: Warren N.J. USA
DATE INSTALLED: 2005
DESCRIPTION:
Anadigics are a gallium arsenide wafer manufacturer; they are required to treat the aqueous effluent to remove arsenic that is contaminating their effluent stream due to their processing.
CAPACITY:
20 gpm system, although it is typically running at only 12 gpm. The system consists of one module with 2 tanks in series; 4 cartridges per tank.
TYPE OF SYSTEM:
The two tanks are arranged so that water passes through them in series, when the first (lead) is exhausted the valves are changed and the second (lag) then becomes the lead. This setup minimizes the possibility of a slip in compliance.
INITIAL ARSENIC LEVEL: 24,000 ppb
TARGET ARSENIC LEVEL: <48 ppb (regulated level)
ACTUAL ARSENIC LEVEL: <2 ppb
PERFORMANCE:
The operators take 4 sets of 3 samples each day, they measure the incoming, outgoing and mid arsenic levels.
There are 3 triggers for change out of the cartridge:
- Backpressure exceeding a pre-defined target,
- arsenic level between the canisters reaching 100 ppb
- Volume of water since last change reaching a set value
This nominally results in a change out of one tank every 3-4 days.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Anadigics return their spent cartridges to MEL for recycling, minimizing the waste disposal concern. Space is limited at the Anadigics site; a major advantage for this MELSorb installation was its versatility in fitting into tight spaces.
The MELSorb installation follows a gallium recovery system. pH adjustment was initially used utilising CO2, however this was subsequently removed as it was having no discernable effect on performance.
