Urgent phenol contaminated groundwater purification after a tank leak

In September 2017, a leading global producer of special phenol resins detected that groundwater at its site contained high concentrations of phenol. Further investigations revealed that groundwater in the surrounding area was also significantly affected.

The root of the problem was quickly traced to a leak in a phenol storage tank.

The company immediately took responsibility, informing the relevant authorities and searching for a solution for phenol removal.

It contacted DESOTEC and provided us with detailed measurements. We issued a quotation within 24 hours, which the company approved straight away.

After three months, detailed tests and analyses by the authorities revealed that the groundwater had been completely purified.

By this stage, the customer had carried out all the necessary work to seal the leak in the phenol storage tank.

Since the end of 2017, the groundwater has once more been of an excellent quality. The company and stakeholders from the surrounding area can breathe a sigh of relief.

At DESOTEC’s facilities, all used carbon is analysed so the right measures can be taken for handling and removing the saturated carbon from the mobile filters. All molecules that were adsorbed onto the activated carbon at the customers’ sites are desorbed inside DESOTEC’s reactivation furnaces.

These contaminants are then fully destroyed, in accordance with national and European legislation, by an incineration and neutralisation setup. The entire installation and its emissions are under continuous online monitoring, which guarantees that only harmless water vapour is seen exiting the chimney.

In emergency situations, you need a partner you can trust. Call the team at DESOTEC today.