Oil Recovery Company

Mobile, Alabama

Oil Recovery Company of Alabama, Inc. (ORC) is a full-service environmental control, cleanup and disposal company specializing in industrial and marine work that provides 24-hour service to government, marine, and industrial organizations. McFadden Engineering was retained by ORC to evaluate its wastewater treatment facility in Mobile, Alabama.  The purpose of the study was to develop recommendations to improve treatment efficiency and make any recommendations for process additions and/or removal.  Bench scale mixing studies were performed to simulate the treatment process.  The study focused on the optimization of the pH values in the wastewater to facilitate efficiency in the pH dependent flocculation process and the amount of clay-based coagulant added for flocculation and solids removal.     In addition, MEI performed an evaluation of the oxidation chemistry as part of the solids removal process and VOC reduction.  Based on the findings of the evaluation, a revised treatment train was developed, and recommendations were made to ORC to assist their operators in maintaining plant compliance.  Through this evaluation and treatability study, the optimal process pH levels and the appropriate quantities of oxidation chemicals needed for the process were established.