Is it worth switching to Filtered Alkalinity Testing instead of standard, Non-Filtered Alkalinity testing methods? It’s certainly worth careful consideration, and here’s why:
- Filtered Alkalinity Testing is likely to provide results that are more representative of your aqueous system’s true buffering capacity, when compared with Non-Filtered testing.
- Unfiltered testing, when using lime or caustic, may cause plant operators to errantly believe there is sufficient soluble alkalinity, or true pH buffering capacity, in their aqueous system. This is because the standard unfiltered testing will “count” the insoluble particulate created by the use of caustic or lime in the test results.
- Inaccurate information from unfiltered tests can lead plant operators to add insufficient lime or caustic initially, only to require the addition of more product to accomplish the desired result. This is inefficient, creates larger amounts of sludge, and can increase operation and transportation costs.
AVOIDING A “DOUBLE NEGATIVE” BY INTRODUCING THIOGUARD®
When you add Lime or Caustic to your basins, it’s likely you are creating detrimental “Hot Zones” which have the double negative effect of:
ADJUSTING FOR “OPERATIONAL pH?”
Standard non-filtered testing methods do not accurately reflect actual buffering capacity. An operational pH of 4.0, simply doesn’t exist in any real life situation at a typical treatment plant. Plants are frequently operating at a pH of 6.5 – 7.5. Adjusting the “final testing pH” to a more realistic 6.0 when measuring alkalinity, may allow plant operators to get a better idea of buffering capacity, but it is still a questionable approximation.
When you are accurately assessing your system’s true buffering capacity, through Filtered Alkalinity testing, you may discover it makes a great deal of sense to consider your options. Consider THIOGUARD.®
THE IS A SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE THIOGUARD®
TECHNICAL GRADE MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE
When you use THIOGUARD® as an additive in your wastewater treatment plant, you will maintain a narrower operational pH range, with higher buffering capacity – even over extended periods of time and variable influent conditions. Technical grade magnesium hydroxide delivers double the Alkalinity per Gallon when compared to Caustic Soda, and triple the Alkalinity per Gallon when compared to Lime Slurry, resulting in greater operational efficiency.
