Polyeco’s quality control, ISO 17025 certified laboratory is one of the most vital parts of the industry. The laboratory determines various environmental parameters to industrial waste, ensures quality at the production process and contributes to the selection of the most effective treatment and/or recovery methods. Analysis for third parties is also conducted.
The laboratory is equipped with modern analytical systems, including ICP – AES, Mercury Analyzer based on Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption technique, Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, Ion chromatography for anions and cations, GC – ECD, GC – FID, GC – MS, automated Kjeldahl apparatus, automated Soxhlet apparatus, automated Calorimeter, FTIR, spectrofluorometer, spectrophotometer, EOX – AOX analyzer, Flash point (open cup), Flash point (closed cup), microwave oven and various other equipment necessary for sample pretreatment. Most of the instrumentation is fully automated (accompanied by autosamplers), resulting in the capability to handle up to 20 samples per day for time consuming analyses, e.g. metals, and even more samples for less time consuming analyses.
In the course of years of operation, different methods were developed based on ISO, ASTM, APHA or EPA standards, covering the determination of a wide range of parameters. Other analyses such as BOD, COD, flash point determination, AOX determination in water samples, identification of unknown compounds by GC – MS, photometric methods etc. are also conducted periodically.
Laboratory performance and quality is assured via ISO 17025 Quality System, ISO 9001 and EMAS 14000. In accordance with ISO 17025, specific guidelines are established for the frequent maintenance and upgrade of instrumentation, as well as the accuracy of analyses results.
Distinctive Liquid Waste Unit
The unit is capable of performing programmed or manual treatment steps of liquid waste including acidification, reduction, chemical oxidation, coagulation/flocculation & filtration. It is, at last, the industrial realization of the laboratory theory consisting of having a current pass through waste-water to make the suspended solids and most dissolved salts react as normal flocculated sludge.
Tank Farm
Six holding tanks are used for the temporary storage of the received liquid waste. Each tank or group of tanks is dedicated for the storage of specific liquid streams.
Following laboratory analysis of the stored liquid waste one of the following treatment lines is selected for the treatment of the waste:
Liquids rich in hydrocarbons and insoluble pollutants, such as metals, are treated at Polyeco’s advance electro-coagulation / electro-flotation unit.
The unit is suitable for the treatment of bilge water, water produced during the tank cleaning operations and heavy emulsified mixtures. Treatment is distinguished in two different stages:
Electro-coagulation plant
The electro-coagulation carries out primarily flocculation with the creation of an electric field between the electrodes, supporting the gathering of the loads present in the effluent. The metal ions (Al3+) released by dissolution of reactive anodes act as coagulants. Ions hydroxides (OH -) are produced with cathode by electrolysis of water.
Electro-flotation unit
The electro-flotation carries out separation of liquids/solids by flotation, thanks to the production of fine hydrogen bubbles by electrolysis of water by means of suitable electrodes.
The liquid effluent of this process is further treated at the physiochemical water treatment stage, while the produced sludge is used at the alternative liquid fuel production line.
Inorganic liquids mainly rich in heavy metals, toxic hexavalent chromium and cyanides are treated at Polyeco’s physicochemical plant. The plant consists of a DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) unit, two reactors equipped with agitators, online sensors, valves, pumps, storage tanks of the reagents, a water treatment stage with pH adjustment, sand filters, carbon filters and a reverse osmosis unit for the treatment of the water. The treated water of the unit is used for technical purposes within the facility and the produced dewatered sludge through a filter press is used in the alternative liquid fuel production line.
Liquids rich in hydrocarbons other than those treated at the electro-coagulation/ electro-flotation unit are treated at the evaporator. This unit evaporates the liquid phase using thermal media. The pollutants are concentrated in a sludge form. This waste is used for the production of alternative liquid fuel. The advance heat waste recovery system of the evaporator results to an efficient and eco friendly treatment.
Dryer technology: This equipment is used to remove additional water and organic constituents from centrifuge or filter press cakes to maximize the volume reduction of hazardous and other waste streams. The addition of a thermal dryer can reduce overall waste volume by up to 98%.
Alternative Fuel and Raw Materials Production
Production of ASF and ALF
Packaging material and outdated products with high calorific value are converted into Alternative Solid Fuel (ASF). With the use of an automotive crane waste is fed into a shredding system.
Conveyor-belts deliver the shredded material to a granulator, where the particles acquire the desired dimensions according to the defined quality standards. The product is then forwarded to the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) production line for further treatment. Final product is delivered to the recovery facility. Liquid industrial waste is also converted into alternative fuel for industrial use. Waste including oily sludge and other chemical industrial sludge, slops from marine activities etc., are collected and transported to our facilities, ready to be forwarded to the production line. Waste is converted into Liquid Alternative Fuel (ALF) and final product is packaged and transported to certified disposal facilities.
A Certificate of Receipt is issued upon removal of the waste from the client, which renders Polyeco responsible for the treatment and final disposal of the waste.
Production of Industrial Additives
Ferrous sulphate is used at the cement production for the reduction of hexavalent chromium. Urea and ammonia solutions are used as additives in combustion processes to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. All chemicals are prepared with the highest standards to ensure best quality to protect and suit the feeding lines and catalytic systems of the clients.
Polyeco supplies ferrous sulphate, urea solution and ammonia solution to industrial clients.
Oily Sludge Treatment
Modern and specialized equipment is used for pumping, homogenizing and centrifugal separation of sludge from any kind of oil storage tank. Polyeco offers integrated management of the oil sludge achieving high oil recovery rates and minimization of final waste (dry sludge) quantity. Containerized decanters or tricanters are used for sludge processing.
This process promotes the waste volume reduction and the recovery of oil by separating the sludge into three phases: dry sludge phase, oily phase and water phase. This process can take place at Polyeco’s facilities or on-site.
Hazardous Waste Transfer Station
Within its facilities Polyeco operates a separate Hazardous Waste Transfer Station (HWTS).
The HWTS was designed and built in conformance with the highest safety standards. Automatic fire detection and fighting system is installed throughout the store area and suitable HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) liner is placed on the ground to prevent potential leakages. The purpose of the HWTS is to offer temporary storage capabilities for various types of hazardous waste (flammable, toxic, corrosive etc.), which cannot be treated within the facility, so that they can be immediately removed from the producer’s site minimizing risk to health or the environment. The waste is then transferred according to the EU law to certified European disposal facilities.
Vehicles and Specialty Equipment
Polyeco owns a diverse fleet of the most advanced vehicles and transportation equipment in the industry.
Our professional operators are highly skilled and rigorously trained in the safe operation of the vehicles and their equipment.
Transportation
Equipment Trucks
Other Specialty Equipment