Russian refinery selects GE ZeeWeed wastewater treatment system for pilot test
GE and Russian oil company Bashneft have launched pilot testing of GE’s ZeeWeed membrane bioreactor technology for biological treatment of sewage water from the Bashneft−Ufaneftekhim oil processing complex and other enterprises of the Northern Industrial Block of Ufa. Strict discharge regulations, and the need to reuse the treated water, led Bashneft to choose GE's MBR, electrodialysis reversal and reverse osmosis technologies for the pilot testing.
The testing is being conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry of the Republic of Bashkortostan as part of preparations for a modernisation project for biological treatment plants (BTP) of the Bashneft−Ufaneftekhim branch.
During the tests, which will continue until 30 June 2013, GE will demonstrate the technological feasibility of sewage purification in compliance with the strict requirements of environmental legislation of the Russian Federation.
In the framework of the project, GE will use ZeeWeed MBR technology, EDR, RO and adsorption on activated carbon. Using these purification methods enables implementation of a closed-cycle principle and the minimisation of water intake requirements.
A distinctive feature of purification based on the GE technological process is the absence of preliminary clarification tanks and secondary clarifiers. At the exit from the aeration tanks, the activated sludge is separated from treated water using ZeeWeed 500 ultrafiltration membranes. Dehydration of oil sludge, precipitation and excess sludge is performed on compact centrifuges. All of the above makes it possible to reduce the area of purification facilities and exclude any chance of contaminant release into the environment.
Footnote: Biological treatment plants of the Bashneft−Ufaneftekhim branch were commissioned in 1958. All industrial effluent, storm water and utility fluids from three oil refineries of Bashneft, OJSC Ufaorgsynthez, the Cherkassy pumping station and other manufacturing facilities of the Northern Industrial Block of Ufa go to the BTPs after preliminary mechanical treatment. Reconstruction of BTPs was performed in 1983. In compliance with an agreement between the Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service of the Republic of Bashkortostan and OJSC Ufaneftekhim on 6 December 2010, by December 2011 the feasibility study for BTPs modernisation was prepared. In 2012, a contract was executed for engineering the modernisation of BTPs with the Institute of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry of the Republic of Bashkortostan.