Process for treating by-product of optical fiber fabrication

摘要

It has been found that in sol-gel processes utilizing TMAH, it is possible to treat a trimethylamine (TRIMA)-containing solution with hydrogen peroxide to form trimethylamine oxide-(CH3)3N+-O- (TRIMAO), a water soluble compound which is less volatile and less odorous than TRIMA, and which is capable of being sent to a standard wastewater treatment plant. The hydrogen peroxide is generally added to the TRIMA-containing solution in a H2O2:TRIMA ratio of at least 3:1, advantageously at least 10:1. Because of the resultant TRIMAO solution's ability to be sent to a standard wastewater treatment facility, improved productivity and lowered expense of the overall fiber fabrication process are obtained. The invention is also suitable for treatment of triethylamine.