IMPACT OF EFFLUENT WASTE FROM MACHINING PROCESS ON THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH WATER ANALYSIS.

Abstract

Large quantities of ferrous block metals are used every day in various sectors of industry to make body parts for automotive, furniture, electrical and mechanical items. During the manufacturing stage, the block metals are subjected to some form of material removal processes either through turning, milling, grinding, or drilling operations to obtain the final product. Various forms of wastes are generated during the machining operations in the form of effluent waste, solid waste, atmospheric emission and energy emission. If these wastes are not recycled or treated properly before disposal, there is a possibility that it can cause a detrimental impact on the environment through water and soil pollution. This research aims to determine the impact of the effluent waste from the machining process on the environment through water analysis. A fivefold study is carried out to determine the impact of the effluent waste on the water stream. The preliminary study consists of a Scenario Analysis where five scenarios of effluent waste are drawn out using substances such as used coolant, tramp oil, solvent, powdered chips and sludge which are commonly found in the effluent waste. The wastes are prepared according to the scenarios and are disposed through the IPROM storm water drain. Samples of effluent waste are collected at specific locations according to APHA method and are tested for the WQI parameters. Following this, a comparative study is conducted by collecting samples of the effluent waste from seven SME locations and from IPROM workshop to test the quality of effluent water. The samples are also tested for the presence of metals such as Nickel, Chromium, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Ferum, Cadmium, Manganese and Selenium. The results obtained from the tests are compared with the Environmental Quality (Sewage and Industrial Effluents) Regulations, 1979 Standard B specification for the inland water body. The results obtained from the tests showed high values of Chemical Oxygen Demand, Ammoniacal Nitrogen and Total Suspended Solids. An Acute toxicology test was also conducted with live Minnows and juvenile Koi fishes according to United States Environmental Protection Agency, to determine the LCso of the effluent waste. Observations are made to study the behaviour of the fishes when it is in contact with the effluent waste. An Environmental Quality Tool is developed for the small and medium scale enterprises as a preventive control measure for the planning phase of the environmental management system to reduce the environmental impact due to machining waste.