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Project title

Recovery of hydrochloric acid and ferric chloride from spent pickle acid

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Galco Steel Ltd.

Lead Applicant

Terry Hinds

Project Abstract

Glaco Steel Ltd. is the largest Hot Dip Galvanizer in Ireland with plants located in Dublin Cork and Waterford. This project originally aimed to investigate the feasibility of a recovery process to recover and reuse hydrochloric acid and produce a concentrated ferric chloride solution more suited for use in the water treatment process in Ireland. However as a result of the extensive investigations undertaken by Galco as part of this project an alternative solution has been implemented. Increased analysis of spent pickle made Galco more aware of the chemistry of their process and they are now moving to implement simpler solutions which will improve the quality of their spent pickle. These include:i Implementation of acid degreasing replacing the current caustic degreasing system giving reduced sludge and better pickling efficiencyi Pickling at a higher temperature giving lower acid solution with a higher iron content (increase energy use compensated by reduced energy use in degreasing step)i Addition of iron oxide to the spent pickle in a controlled reaction to boost the iron content and reduce the acid content of the pickleIn Galcois new plant zinc will be practically eliminated from the spent pickle through the design of the plant equipment and layout. This is a classic case of cleaner production - i.e. do not create a waste stream in the first place.

Grant Approved

�100,000.00

Research Hub

Cleaner Production - Green Enterprise - Innovation and Demonstration

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

n/a

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a