Auto-Vac®
Custom Systems Design
Home > Wastewater Treatment And Chemicals > Useful Information And Reference Material > Glossary Of Terms
View Printable Version
Save To FavoritesGlossary of Terms
absorbent
The capability to absorb or soak up gases and liquids like a sponge.
acidic
Substances measured on a pH scale; acids contain hydrogen and reacts with a measurement less than 7.
adsorbent
Collecting gases or liquids in a small layer onto another surface.
aerate
aerated, aerating, aerates
1. To supply with air or expose to the circulation of air: aerate soil.
2. To expose to oxygen, as in the oxygenation of the blood by respiration.
3. To supply or charge (liquid) with a gas, especially to charge with carbon dioxide.
aerobic
"With oxygen". Organisms living only in the presence of oxygen, such as aerobic bacteria requires oxygen to live.
alkali
"Alkaline or base" measured on a pH scale. A pH level of 7.0 or greater (pH scale 1-14).
alkaline
Of, relating to, or containing an alkali. Having a pH greater than 7. Having a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions.
aluminum chloride
A deliquescent compound AlCl3 or Al2Cl3 that is used as a topical astringent and antiseptic on the skin, in some deodorants to control sweating, and in the anhydrous form as a catalyst.
anaerobic
"Without oxygen."Organisms living in the absence of oxygen. Associated with bad bacteria. This biological process occurs without the need for oxygen.
BOD - biochemical oxygen demand
Testing is done to measure the rate that microorganisms use oxygen. As more oxygen is used, the higher BOD will be in water or wastewater. Also called biological oxygen demand.
cadmium (Symbol Cd)
A soft, bluish-white metallic element occurring primarily in zinc, copper, and lead ores, that is easily cut with a knife and is used in low-friction, fatigue-resistant alloys, solders, dental amalgams, nickel-cadmium storage batteries, nuclear reactor shields, and in rustproof electroplating. Atomic number 48; atomic weight 112.41; melting point 320.9°C; boiling point 765°C; specific gravity 8.65; valence 2.
carbon (Symbol C)
A naturally abundant nonmetallic element that occurs in many inorganic and in all organic compounds, exists freely as graphite and diamond and as a constituent of coal, limestone, and petroleum, and is capable of chemical self-bonding to form an enormous number of chemically, biologically, and commercially important molecules. Atomic number 6; atomic weight 12.011; sublimation point above 3,500°C; boiling point 4,827°C; specific gravity of amorphous carbon 1.8 to 2.1, of diamond 3.15 to 3.53, of graphite 1.9 to 2.3; valence 2, 3, 4.
centrifuge
1. An apparatus consisting essentially of a compartment spun about a central axis to separate
contained materials of different specific gravities, or to separate colloidal particles suspended in a liquid.
2. An apparatus in which humans or animals are enclosed and which is revolved to simulate the effects
of acceleration in a spacecraft.
coagulant
An agent that causes a liquid or solid to coagulate.
coagulate
coagulated,coagulating, coagulates
To cause transformation of (a liquid or sol, for example) into or as if into a soft, semisolid, or solid mass.
COD - chemical oxygen demand
Testing is done to measure the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of pollutants in water or wastewater.
copper (Symbol Cu)
A ductile, malleable, reddish-brown metallic element that is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and is widely used for electrical wiring, water piping, and corrosion-resistant parts, either pure or in alloys such as brass and bronze. Atomic number 29; atomic weight 63.54; melting point 1,083°C; boiling point 2,595°C; specific gravity 8.96; valence 1, 2.
dewater
dewatered, dewatering, dewaters
To remove water from (a waste product or streambed, for example).
diatomaceous earth
A light-colored porous rock composed of the shells of diatoms.
disposal
Any process that discharges, dumps or places any solid waste or hazardous waste into or on any land or water.
effluent
Flowing out or forth.
Something that flows out or forth, especially:
a. A stream flowing out of a body of water.
b. An outflow from a sewer or sewage system.
c. A discharge of liquid waste, as from a factory or nuclear plant.
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
The group is a part of the U.S. Federal Government that enforces environmental laws.
flocculent
1. Having a fluffy or woolly appearance.
2. Chemistry. Made up of or containing woolly masses.
3. Zoology. Having a soft, waxy, and wool-like covering, as certain insects.
FOG
Fat, oil and grease.
hazardous waste
Can be classified "hazardous" if potentially harmful to the environment. Check with the EPA for more information.
heavy metals
Metallic chemicals that can be harmful when they enter soil or water.
hydrated lime
A caustic substance produced by heating limestone.
iron (Symbol Fe)
A silvery-white, lustrous, malleable, ductile, magnetic or magnetizable, metallic element occurring abundantly in combined forms, notably in hematite, limonite, magnetite, and taconite, and used alloyed in a wide range of important structural materials. Atomic number 26; atomic weight 55.845; melting point 1,535°C; boiling point 2,750°C; specific gravity 7.874 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 6.
nickel (Symbol Ni)
A silvery, hard, ductile, ferromagnetic metallic element used in alloys, in corrosion-resistant surfaces and batteries, and for electroplating. Atomic number 28; atomic weight 58.69; melting point 1,453°C; boiling point 2,732°C; specific gravity 8.902; valence 0, 1, 2, 3.
oxidizer
A substance that yields oxygen and accepts electrons from another substance. Most commonly used oxidizers are peroxide and bleach.
perlite (pearlite)
1. A mixture of ferrite and cementite forming distinct layers or bands in slowly cooled carbon steels.
2. Variant of perlite.
pH
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to 7 for neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with increasing acidity. The pH scale commonly in use ranges from 0 to 14.
Low pH indicates increasing acidity, while high pH indicates increasing alkalinity (a pH of 7 is neutral). The pH of wastewater needs to remain between 6 and 9 to protect organisms.
phenol
1. A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H5OH, derived from benzene and used in
resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Also called
carbolic acid.
2. Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached
directly to the benzene ring.
polymer
Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.
polymerization
1. The bonding of two or more monomers to form a polymer.
2. A chemical process that effects this bonding.
ppm - parts per million
Helps calculate one part per million parts by weight.
respirator
A breathing device that protects the wearer from contaminants.
sludge
Waste generated by municipal, commercial or industrial waste streams that has solids or liquids.
solubility
solubilities
1. The quality of condition of being soluble.
2. The amount of a substance that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent.
treatment
Any method, technique or process, including neutralization, designed to change the composition.
turbid
1. Having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended; muddy: turbid water.
2. Heavy, dark, or dense, as smoke or fog.
zinc (Symbol Zn)
A bluish-white, lustrous metallic element that is brittle at room temperature but malleable with heating. It is used to form a wide variety of alloys including brass, bronze, various solders, and nickel silver, in galvanizing iron and other metals, for electric fuses, anodes, and meter cases, and in roofing, gutters, and various household objects. Atomic number 30; atomic weight 65.39; melting point 419.4°C; boiling point 907°C; specific gravity 7.133 (25°C); valence 2.