Standard Operating Procedure and Checklist of Minimal Requisite

Facilities for utilization of hazardous waste under Rule-9 of the

Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary
Movement) Rules- 2016

Utilization of Spent Acid (HCl and HzS04) generated from dye &
dye intermediates industries and chemical manufacturing
industries as neutralizing agent in Effluent Treatment Plant
(ETP)/Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP)
(Revised)

February,2022

Central Pollution Control Board

(Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change,
Government of India)
Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar,
Shahdara, Delhi - 110032
 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye intermediates industries and chemical
manufacturing industt·ies as neutralizing agent in Effluent Tt·eatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)
Procedure for grant of authorization by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/ Pollution
Control Committees (PCCs) for utilization of Hazardous waste
I) While granting authorization for utilization of hazardous wastes, SPCBsfPCCs shall
ensure that authorization is given only to those wastes for which SoPs on utilisation have
been circulated by CPCB ensuring the following:
a. The waste (intended for uti! ization) belongs to same source of generation as specified
in SoP.
b. The utilization shall be same to as described in SoP.
c. End-use/ Product produced from the waste shall be same as specified in SoP.
d. Authorization shall be granted only after verification of details and minimum
requisite facilities as given in SoP.
e. Issuance of passbooks (similar to passbooks issued for recycling of used oil , waste
oil. non-ferrous scraps, etc.) for maintaining records of receipt of hazardous waste
for uti Iization.
f. Special Conditions:
1. ETPs/CETPs shall be assessed for requirement of spent acid and priority shall
be given to utilization of spent H2S04. Spent HCI shall not be permitted if spent
H2S04 generation adequate for utilization in ETPs/CETPs. SPCB/PCC shall also
assess generation of spent I-bS04 /HCI from dye & dye intermediates and
chemical manufacturing industries in the State periodically.
11. There shall be no inter-state movement permitted for uti Iization of spent acid in
ETP/CETP. However. the same may be relaxed in exceptional cases, the subject
to examination and recommendation by CPCB.
111. SPCB!PCC should carefully evaluate and ensure proper utilization of spent
acids. Any violation found should be dealt with maximum punishment includ~ng
cancellation of authorization and levying hefty penalty amount.
2) After issuance of authorization. SPCBs shall verify the compliance of checklist and SoP
on qua11erly basis for initia12 years ; followed by random checks in the subsequent period
for atleast once a year. The compliance report shall be submitted to CPCB by July every
year.
3) In-case of lack of requisite infrastructures with the SPCBs/PCCs, they may engage 3rd
party institutions or laboratories having EPA I NABL I ISO 17025 Accreditation I
recognition for monitoring and analysis of prescribed parameters in SoP for verification
purpose.
4) SPCBsiPCCs shall provide half yearly updated list of units permitted under Rule 9 of
Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
(HOWM Rules. 2016) to CPCB and also upload the same on SPCB website, periodically.
Such updated list shall be sent to CPCB on half yearly basis i.e., by July and January
respectively.

Waste Management-11 Division, CPCB. Delhi ~oge

 Utilization of Spent Acid generated f.-om dye & dye intermediates industl"ies and chemical
manufacturing industries as neutralizing agent in Effluent T1·eatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)
5) Authorization for utilisation shall not be given to the units located in the State/UT where
there is no Common TSDF, un less the unit ensures authorised captive disposal of the
hazardous waste (generated dur ing uti Iisation) or its complete uti Iisation or arrangement
of sharing with any other authorised disposal facility.
6) In case of the utilization proposal is not same with respect to source of generation or
utilization process or end-use as outlined in this SoP, the same may be referred to CPCB
for clarification /conducting trial utilization studies and developing SoPs thereof.
7) The source and \Nork zone standards suggested in the SoP are based on E(P)A notitied
and OSHA standard , respectively. However, SPCBs/PCCs may impose more stringent
standards based on the location or process specific conditions.
49.0 Utilization of Spent Acid:
Type ofHW Source of generation Recovery/Product
Spent acid (HCI and H2S04) Generated from : As a neutralizing
category 26.3 Schedule I & • Dyes & dyes intermediates agent in ETP/ CETP
Inorganic acid mentioned at Sl. industries, and
No. 15 In the foot note of
Schedule l I of HOWM Rules,
• Chemical manufacturing
industries
2016
49.1 Source of Waste:
The spent acid (HCI and l-bS04) is generated from manufacturing of dyes and dyes intermediate
industries and chemical manufacturing industries and is categorized as hazardous waste at S.No.
26 .3 of Schedule I of HOWM Rules. 2016 and Inorganic Acids mentioned at S. No 15 in the foot
note of Schedule II of HOWM Rules. 2016. which are required to be disposed in authorized
disposal facility in accordance with authorization condition , when not utilized as resource
recovery.
49.2 Utilization Process
The spent acid is used in wastewater treatment plant (Effluent Treatment Plant/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant) as a neutralizing agent (by replacing use of fresh sulphuric/HCI acid). Tn
neutralizing process. pH of alkaline wastewater is reduced by using neutralizing agent. The
dosing of neutralizing agent (i.e. Spent Hydrochloric/Sulphuric acid) is done in ETP/CETP in
equalization tank/ before flash mixer. The effluent goes through screen chamber, collection tank.
equalization tank. flash mixer, flocculation tank, primary clarifier, aeration tank. secondary
clarifier and treated effluent storage tank. After treatment, the treated effluent may be discharged
in accordance vv·ith the conditions stipulated in the Consent to Operate issued by respective SPCB
/PCC .

Waste Management-IT Division , CPCB, Delhi 21Page

 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye intennediates industl"ies and c hemical
manufacturing industries as neutra lizing agent in Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)

Influent ~I Screen Chamber

-------..l__:=._:=~==~
+
I Co llection Tank I
Neutralizing agent
J
l
•
Equalization Tank
I
·-------------..+
I
I

I Flash Mixer
i.
I
I Flocculation Tank
I
...
c:
0 I Primary Clarifier
~l
I
I Aeration Tank I
~
I I
Secondary Clarifier Treated effluent
Sludge Wasting I I

Figure 1: Typical flow diagram for utilization of spent HzS04/HCI acid in ETP/CETP.
49.3 Product Usage I Utilization
The spent (HC I and H2S04) acid shall be utilized in waste\vater treatment plant (i.e. ETP/CETP)
as a neutralizing agent in equalization tank! before flash mixer.
49 .4 Methodology for finalization of quantity and quality of Spent Acid for utilization in
ETP/ CETP as neutt·alizing agent
l) MoEF&CC vide Ofnce Memorandum No: SO 3518( E) dated 23/1 1/2016 notified the
procedure to issue permission for the "Change in product mix without increase in po ll ution
load" . As per this notification , all SPCBs/PCCs sha ll have to frame Technical Committee
to implement the notification.
2) Tt is envisaged that wherever scrutiny and assessment are required in this SoP,
implementation of this SoP is done through the above committee and in case the said
committee has not been constituted then implementation be done through committee
constituted for implementation of HOWM Rules, 2016, by the SPCBs/ PCCs . Further, the
following shall be the responsibilities of Technica l Committee while reviewing the ·
application for uti lization of spent hydrochloric/sulphuric acid:
a) Technical committee shall check characteristics of spent acid i.e. CODITOC.
Acidity, Heavy Metals and Toxicity generated from the source industry.
b) The quality of industrial vvastewater shall be reviewed so as to evaluate the
feasib ility of utilization of spent acid.

Waste Manage ment-IT Division , CPCR Delhi ~31 Page

 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye in termediates industries and chemical
manufacturing indust.-ies as neutralizing agent in Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)/Common Efnuent
Treatment Plant (CETP)
c) The committee shall permit the quantity for utilization of spent acid for
neutralization into ETP/CETP based on mass balance, water balance. inlet/outlet
standards, and resu lts of Jar test, design criteria of CETP/ ETP.
d) In no case, the spent acid having parameters (except pH) exceeding the inlet or
design norms of ETP/CETP. "vhichever is stringent, shall be permitted for
utilization. Further, the norms for the heavy metals and pesticides shall not exceed
following:
No. Parameters CETP Inlets Norms
(mg/1)
I 1 Arsenic 0.2
1
2 Total Chromium 2
.,
.) ! Hexavalent Chromium 0. 1
4 Copper --
3 --
5 Lead 0.1
6 Mercury 0.01
7 Nickel 3
8 Zinc 5
9 Cadmium 2
10 Pesticides Absent
II I Cyanide 0.2

49.5 Standard Operating Procedure for utilization

This SoP is applicable only for utilization of spent acid (HCl & H2S04) generated during
manufacturing of dyes and dyes intermediate industries and chemical manufacturing industries
as neutralizing agent in ETP/CETP.
I) The spent acid shall be transported in SPCB/PCC authorized tankers mounted on vehicles
fitted with requisite safeguards ensuring no spil lage ofthe same.
2) There shall be a designed space for unloading of spent acid into the storage tank. The
receiving storage tank shall be placed above the ground and contained with lov·i raise
parapet/bund wall with slope to collect spillages, if any, into collection pit. Alternatively,
storage tanks for spent acid may be kept below the ground provided it has HDPE liner
system beneath the tank and leachate collection system below HOPE liner. In the event of
leachate detection in the leachate collection system , corrective measures shall be taken
immediately .
3) The unit shall install storage tank under cool, dry, well ventilated covered storage shed(s)
within premises. As authorized by the concerned SPCB/PCC under HOWM Rules. 2016,
so as to eliminate rain water intrusion .
Further. the storage area shal l have leak-proof floor ti les with adequate slope to collect
spillage, if any, into a collection pit. The spillage from collection pit shall be transferred to
ETP/CETP. as the cases may be, through chemical process pump.
4) There shall be no manual handling ofthe hazardous \vastes (spent acid). Acid proofpump
shall be used for transfer of spent acid through pipelines to the spent acid dosing tank.
Waste Management-11 Division. CPCB, Delhi ~ 1 P age
 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye intermediates industries and chemical
manufacturing industries as neutralizing agent in Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)
5) The treated effluent shall be discharged in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the
Consent to Operate issued by respective SPCB /PCC under the Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
6) The unit shall maintain proper ventilation in the work zo ne and process areas. All
personnel involved in the plant operation shall wear proper personal protective equipment
(PPE) specific to the process operations involved and type of chemicals handled as per
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The safety precautions of the worker shall be tn
accordance with the Factory Act, 1948. as amended from time to time.
7) It shall be ensured that the spent acid is procured ti·om the industries who have valid
authorization for the same from the concerned SPCB/PCC as required under HOWM
Rules. 2016.
8) The hazardous wastes generated (such as ETP sludge) shall be collected and temporarily
stored in non-reactive drums I bags under a dedicated hazardous waste storage area and be
sent to authorized common TSDF or other authorized tacility within 90 days ti·om
generation of the waste in accordance with the authorization issued by the concerned
SPCB/PCC. Such storage area shall be covered with proper ventilation.
9) SPCBs/PCCs shall ensure synchronization of generation and utilization of spent acid and
the same shall be reflected in respective authorization specifying name and quantity .
I 0) Transportation of spent acid shall be carried out by sender or receiver (utilizer) only after
obtaining authorization from the concerned SPCB/PCC under HOWM Rules. 2016.
II) Prior to utilization of spent acid, the unit shall obtain authorization for generation. storage
and utilization from the concerned SPCB/PCC under HOWM Rules 20 16.
12) In case of environmental damages arising due to improper handling of hazardous wastes
including accidental spillage during generation , storage. processing, transportation and
disposal. the unit shall be liable to implement immediate response measures. environmental
site assessment and remediation of contaminated soil/groundwater/sediment etc. as per the
"Guidelines on Implementing Liabilities for Environmental Damages due to Handling &
Disposal of Hazardous Wastes and Penalty'' published by CPCB.
13) During the process of utilization and handling of hazardous waste, the unit shall comply
with the requirements in accordance with the Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 as
amended, wherever applicable.
49.6 Record/Returns Filing
l) The unit shall maintain a passbook issued by concern SPCB and maintain details of each
procurement of spent acid shall be entered:
- Address of the sender
- Date of dispatch
- Quantity procured
- Seal and signature ofthe sender
- DateofReceiptinthepremises

Waste Management-II Division , CPCB. Delhi ~SIPage

 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye intermediates industries and chemical
manufacturing indust.-ies as neutralizing agent in Effluent Tt·eatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)
2) A log book with information on source and date of generation/procurement of spent acid ,
quantity. date wise utilization of spent acid. hazardous waste generation and its disposal ,
etc. shall be maintained including analysis report of emission monitoring & effluent
discharged, as applicable.
3) The unit shall maintain record of hazardous waste generated , utilized and disposed as per
Form 3 & also file annual returns in Form 4 as per Rule 20 (I) and (2) ofHOWM Rules.
2016.
4) The unit shall submit quarterly and annual information on hazardous wastes consumed, its
source, products generated or resources conserved (specifYing the detai Is Iike type and
quantity of resources conserved) to the concerned SPCB.
49.7 Standards
1) Fugitive emission in the storage area shall comply with following standards:
Acid Mist (H2S04) : 1.00 mg/m3 TWA * (PEL)
Acid Mist (HCI) : 7.00 mg/m3 #Ceiling limit
*/'/:"/.- Pernussthle 1::\posure 1.111111. :: - ( ·eJ/1111! /.Jmll
*Jmte- u·(Jighred Ol'era~e (rWA) ml.!a.\'lln:ci m·L'ra pcnod t?[H hours t~{opcraln m ofproces.\'.
A ceJ/mg /unl/ 1.\' one Ihal may 1101 he exceededfhr any pen od oflilne, omits applied to Jrrt/Onls am/ other malenals that have unmediate effects.

2) Treated effluent shall comply with prescribed CETP standards notified under the
Environment (Protection) Act. 1986. vide notification no. S.O. 4(E) dated 0 I/01/2016 or
standards prescribed in Consent to Operate issued under the Water (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1974 by the respective SPCB/PCC, ·whichever is stringent.
3) Fugitive and effluent mon itoring for specified parameters shall be carried out quarterly . The
monitoring shall be carried out by NABL accredited or TSO 17025 /EPA approved
laboratories and the results shall be submitted to the concerned SPCB /PCC on a quarterl y
basis.
49.8 Siting oflndustry
Facilities for utilization of spent acid shall be prefera bly located in a notified industrial area or
industrial park/estate/cluster and in accordance with Consent to Establish issued by the concerned
SPCB/PCC.
49.9 Checklist of Minimal Requisite Facility

Sl. No Particulars
I. Storage tank(s) of adequate capacity to store spent acid of at least two weeks
requirement.
Storage tank(s) shall be placed above the ground and contained with low raise
parapet/bund wall with slope to collect spillages, if any, into collection pit.
Alternatively. storage tanks may be below the ground provided it has HOPE liner
system beneath the tank and leachate collection system below HOPE liner.
Cool , dry well- ventilated covered storage shed(s) for spent acid storage tanks within
2.
premises.
Waste Management-II Division. CPCB, Delhi
~I Page
 Utilization of Spent Acid generated from dye & dye intennediates industries and chemical
manufacturing industries as neutralizing agent in Efnuent Tt·eatment Plant (ETP)/Common Effluent
Treatment Plant (CETP)

3. Mechanized system for transfer of spent acid from tanker to storage tank and storage
tank to spent acid dosing tank.

4. Adequate ETP/CETP so as to comply with standards/conditions prescribed by the

concerned SPCBIPCC.

5. Dedicated hazardous waste storage area for temporary storage of hazardous \vaste ( i. e.
primary sludge a nd secondary sludge) generated during utili za ti on process.

6. Automatic online dosing pump at Neutralization tank for dosing of Spent Acid.

7. Online pH Sensor at the outlet of neutralization tank. /"'

~
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Waste Management-!! Division , CPCB. Delhi 71Page