GASIFIER WASTEWATER TREATMENT: PHASE I COOLING TOWER ASSESSMENT.

Due to the limited number of gasifiers operating in this country, there is a need to develop environmental data concerning the wastewaters produced from the various gasification processes. The University of North Dakota Energy Research Center (UNDERC) has been operating a pilot-scale oxygen blown fixed-bed gasifier with lignite to provide wastewaters for subsequent characterization and treatment and reuse studies. The principal goal of the gasification research at UNDERC is to develop environmental data on the treatability of wastewaters from the fixed-bed gasification of lignite. The extent of treatment is dictated by end use, or ultimate disposal options available at a given location. In water deficient regions such as the western United States, the reuse of wastewaters as makeup for an evaporative cooling tower will be a key factor in minimizing plant water requirements and the volume of water requiring ultimate disposal.