Handling of spent oil-based products in the mechanical engineering industry.

Different aspects are reviewed of the management of emulsified petroleum products in mechanical engineering industries with reference to the waste problem. Poor quality of make-up water, poor hygienic conditions, inadequate design of feed systems and failure to use a suitable bactericide influence the volume that has to be discarded and then subjected to waste treatment. The inadequacy of the feed systems is particularly striking in many instances. Different physical and chemical methods for treatment of wasted emulsions are described. Attention is also given to laboratory procedures for the evaluation of these methods. A respirometric technique for examining the compatibility of' treated wastes with sewage treatment is described.