Aggregate from Spent Ion-Exchange Resins for Petroleum Products Removal from Wastewater

Abstract In this paper, the application of a sorption aggregate obtained from spent ion-exchange resins for the purification of locomotive depot wastewater from oil products is investigated. The aggregate was formed from dispersed anion exchange resin AV-17-8 and cation exchange resin KU-2-8 (fraction less than 150 μm) in a ratio of 1:1. The purification efficiency was studied at different reagent doses (0.5–3.0 g/L) and settling times (10–60 min). The optimal parameters were: dose 2.0 g/L and settling for 10 min, which ensures the removal of oil products by more than 89%. It is shown that introducing a dry aggregate contributes to better binding of oil products compared to their suspension. Economic analysis showed that using the aggregate at one locomotive depot allows for the cleaning of 12,500 m 3 /year of wastewater, reduces the volume of waste by 25,000 kg/year, and the payback period of the technology was 1.98 years. The developed technology can be used as an alternative to traditional methods of coagulation with aluminum hydroxychloride. It is proposed to use the sediment in the production of building ceramics for its final utilization, which allows for the improvement of the mechanical properties of bricks and reduces energy costs for their firing. This study is consistent with two Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, as it is aimed at effective wastewater treatment from oil products, and Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, as it offers an innovative approach to the disposal of spent ion-exchange resins, contributing to the minimization of industrial waste and their reuse.