Indian Aluminium Company Limited, Alupuram Smelter Eloor.

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2. The source of water is Periyar River .The water consumption according to the
company is 8762.59 M 3 /day and average discharge is 3556kl/day. The consented
quantity of discharge is 5040 m3/day into Edamula branch of Periyar River.
3. The sources of effluent are process effluent, DM plant regeneration effluent and plant
drains. An effluent treatment plant is provided for treating the effluent. The Effluent
Treatment Plant was working during the time of inspection.
The effluent treatment system consists of holding basins, oil traps, equalization tank,
aeration tank, secondary clarifier and guard ponds. The hot raw effluent generated
from various sources are taken to holding basin consisting of a series of tanks and
fed to aerobic biological treatment system. Treated effluent is taken to two guard
ponds, pH concentration is done , and discharge into Edamula branch of Periyar
River.
4. The effluent from the Caprolactum plant is collected in the plant , neutralized, aerated
in equalization tanks and after pH correction is sent for biological treatment plant in
the main Effluent Treatment Plant.
Nitrate containing effluent are segregated and taken for denitrification process. After
clarification the effluent is taken to equalization tank to complete the remaining cycle
of operation in activated sludge process along with other effluent streams.
5. Oil trap is provided for the removal of oil from raw effluent.
6. The effluent after treatment discharging through the guard pond is mixed with raw
water and let out into the River Periyar. The Company authorities informed that the
dilution activity with raw water and DM Plant effluent are being practiced since long
back.
7. Separate drains are provided for storm water and oil traps are provided in storm water
drains for removing oil.
8. The indicator installed at the Effluent Treatment Plant showed raw effluent pH of 7.39
and outlet pH 7.8
9. Recorder shall be installed at the outlet for measuring effluent flow rate.
10. The hazardous waste of spent catalyst are disposed in dumping yard or solid to
authorized recyclers. Biosludge is disposed in lined storage pit and waste oil is stored
for sale to recyclers.
11. Soda ash is recovered from the caustic effluents separated during the purification of
cyclohexanone and are disposed as byproduct.
12. The company authority informed that hazardous waste TSDF exclusively for FACT
is under construction at Ambalamedu.
13. House keeping is to be improved by removing wild bush. Scrap is seen dumped in the
premises.
Recommendation :
1. Huge quantity of water is used for diluting the effluent after treatment at the outlet of
the guard pond, before discharging through the authorized outlet into the river
periyar. Dilution activity should be stopped forthwith. The prescribed quality should
be achieved by proper treatment in the Effluent Treatment Plant itself.
2. Effluent treatment plant is to be modified for achieving the prescribed quality
stipulated in the consent order without dilution.
3. Adequate steps shall be taken for reducing the water consumption and also to reuse
the treated effluent for achieving zero discharge system.
4. Oil traps must be provided in all the storm water drains at intervals to curtail
contamination of storm water.