Wastewater Treatment in the Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Industry

Introduction:

Petroleum refining and petrochemical industries generate large volumes of wastewater. As environmental regulations tighten and freshwater resources become scarce, efficient wastewater management and reuse are essential. This course addresses these challenges by examining various wastewater treatment methods, including flotation, coagulation, biological treatment, membrane separation, combined technologies, and advanced oxidation processes. Participants will learn to optimize wastewater treatment to enhance profitability and meet stringent environmental regulations.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the purpose, principles, and limitations of different wastewater treatment technologies.
• Implement effective wastewater recovery for onsite reuse and meet regulatory requirements.
• Apply cost-effective technologies to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).
• Reduce energy consumption and operational costs in wastewater treatment facilities.
• Set industry-standard targets for wastewater quality.
• Assess the impact of pollution on the environment.
• Adapt treatment conditions based on wastewater characteristics.
• Enhance the operability and reliability of treatment equipment.

Training Methodology:

• Interactive learning through lectures
• Case study approaches
• Group discussions
• Equipment demonstrations
• On-site visits
• Problem-solving exercises
• Skill-oriented workshops

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Overview of Refinery and Petrochemical Plants

• Raw Materials
• Products and Processes
• Refinery Layout

Unit 2: Management of Water and Wastewater

• Refinery Water Management
• Water Balance
• Sources of Water
• Water Output
• Primary Treatment of Raw Water
• Process Water
• Best Available Technologies

Unit 3: Composition of Wastewater

• Aquatic Biology
• Major Ingredients
• Biodegradable Organic Matter
• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
• Hydrocarbon Equivalents

Unit 4: Treatment of Effluents

• Unit Processes in Sewage Treatment
• Pre-treatment of Process Wastewater
• Treatment of Desalter Effluent
• Oil/Water Separation
• Settling and Sedimentation

Unit 5: Biological Treatment

• Coagulation/Flocculation
• Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)
• Assisted Gas Disposal (IAF)
• Equalization Systems
• Activated Sludge Process
• Aerators

Unit 6: Alternative Biological Treatment

• Oxidation Ditches
• Aerated Lagoons
• Powdered Activated Carbon
• Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR)
• Membrane Bioreactor
• Attached Growth Processes
• Gravity Sedimentation
• Sand Bed Filtration

Unit 7: Treatment of Sludges

• Properties of Sewage Sludges
• Sludge Pumps
• Concentration and Dewatering
• Static Thickeners
• Bioremediation
• Sludge Stabilization

Unit 8: Issues of Recycle and Reuse

• Stormwater Management
• Fire Fighting Precursors
• Cooling Tower Makeup Water

Unit 9: Refinery Wastewater Reuse

• Reuse of Municipal Wastewater
• Media Filtration
• Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
• Reverse Osmosis
• Zero Liquid Discharge

Conclusion:

This course equips participants with a comprehensive understanding of wastewater treatment in the oil and petrochemical industries, emphasizing environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. Participants will gain the skills needed to manage and improve wastewater treatment processes, contributing to safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.