ABSTRACT
Solid wastes in the petrochemical industry may occur as actual solids such as waste plastics, paper or metal; as semi-solids such as tars and resins and as suspended and dissolved solids such as waste polymers and inorganic salts. Solid wastes generated during the petrochemical manufacturing process include water treatment sludges, cafeteria and lunchroom wastes, plant trash, incinerator residues, plastics, metals, waste catalysts, organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, and wastewater treatment solids. Plant trash is the general term used to describe all the miscellaneous wastes which may be found at the manufacturing facility. Waste plastics are generated by off-specification production, spills, product contamination, cleanout, emergency dumps, and miscellaneous other sources during plastics manufacturing. Biological unit operations used in wastewater treatment processes such as activated sludge, trickling filters, extended aeration, wastewater stabilization ponds, and anaerobic digestion also produce sludges which require disposal. In salvaging and reclamation operations, waste materials are collected and segregated for reclamation and reuse.
