Creating water solutions for the automotive industry.
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies is the world leader in water treatment and has over 100 references serving the automotive industry.
Treatment of sludge generated by the automotive manufacturing process
Sludge is mainly generated either at the ST/cataphoresis stage or at the painting stage.
At the ST/cataphoresis stage, sludge is concentrated in metals such as zinc, chromium or zirconium, as well as in phosphates, hydrocarbons, mineral matter, minerals and solvents. It comes from two sources:
- Phosphatation sludge originating from the continuous sludge removal from the baths by means of a filter press
- Sludge produced by the physical-chemical treatment process which is often dehydrated by filter press after lime conditioning
At the painting stage, solvents, pigment and binding agents which constitute 50 to 80% of the paint, cause the sludge to exhibit high BOD and COD. The remaining 20 to 50% constitutes the aqueous part and contains metals (chromium, iron, aluminum, etc.) but also various chemical agents (anti-foam, biocide, flocculant, denaturant, etc.).
Due to its composition (heavy metals, isocyanate, chlorinated derivatives, etc.), paint sludge is classified as hazardous waste and is therefore incinerated or removed.
Veolia's sludge treatment solutions:
Mechanical and Chemical Treatments
