Introduction
BioPetroClean has developed an innovative and cost-effective process for treatment of wastewater for small and medium capacities. BPC’s ability to easily convert every tank or basin into a bioreactor and efficiently implement its proprietary technology for biological water treatment allows a certified compliance with the client’s desired values at a cost unmatched by competing technologies. Due to this innovation, independently cleaning the wastewater on-site becomes a potent alternative to outsourcing the treatment to other wastewater treatment plants. Such a system has been installed and operated since 2008 in EAPC, Israel.
EAPC serves as a land bridge for transporting crude oil between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, provides long-term storage and functions as a crude oil blending site. The company produces wastewater as a by-product from storage tanks, feeder pipes from tankers, and runoff rainwater.
Formerly, the company used a gravitational oil separator (API) and released the inadequately treated water into aeration lagoons in close proximity to the shoreline. This process seldom resulted with effluent compliant with environmental standards, leading to strong criticism by members of the industry as well as civilians for polluting the waters surrounding the terminal. These reasons have motivated the plant’s team to seek an alternative method for wastewater treatment that is more suitable for high contamination levels yet still efficient and economical. As Izik Levi, EAPC’s Manager of Operations said: “We searched for a solution that was not only cost-effective and uncomplicated, but one that would also improve the [water] quality for the surrounding environment and residential areas.”
Figure 1: BPC skid-mounted system for small/medium-scale installations
BPC’s ACT Technology
BioPetroClean’s innovative biological method for wastewater treatment is an elegant and simple way to overcome the existing challenges of conventional biological methods. The method, known as Automated Chemostat Treatment™ (ACT), is based on maintaining a pre- selected bacterial “cocktail” at a stable and low concentration while monitoring the system with a fully automated control unit.
BPC’s Solution to the client’s need
The BPC solution is implemented using a three-phased approach. Feasibility testing and extensive analyses were performed on water samples from the EAPC site at BPC’s laboratory. Based on the analysis results, BPC installed a pilot system which operated for a period of 6 weeks, incorporating specific environmental elements and ground conditions. Following the successful pilot test, BPC installed a full scale permanent solution at the EAPC site.
Preliminary Lab Analysis
As a preliminary step, the client’s water was sampled and analyzed in BPC’s laboratories in order to develop an optimal biodegradation process. The lab analysis was performed in two stages:
- Water characterization
- Biological treatment
Results of the lab analysis, conducted for both batch (flask) and continuous modes of operation are presented in the table below. As shown in the table, contamination levels were reduced to acceptable standards, including significantly lower levels of TPH, TOC, and turbidity.
Figure 2: EAPC water before and after the BPC-ACT biological treatment
BPC Lab Analysis of EAPC Wastewater : Before and After Treatment | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parameters (ppm) | Unit | Before Treatment | Flask Mode | Continuous Flow | Discharge Requirements | ||
Maximum Value | Minimum Value | Average Value | |||||
Flow | % | Flask | 10 | ||||
TPH | ppm | 11.97 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 5 | 3 | |
TOC | ppm | 382 | 76 | 34 | 100 | 50 | |
TSS | ppm | 640 | 106 | 32 | 75 | 50 | |
Turbidity | NTU | 360 | 142 | 15.13 | 50 | 30 | |
pH | 7.6 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 9.5 | 6 | 9 | |
Sulfide | ppm | 147 | NM | 0.022 | 0.5 | 0.2 | |
Phenol | 0.15 | 0.1 | |||||
Phosphate* | 1 | 2.1 | |||||
Ammonia* | 8 | 5.1 |
Pilot Configuration and Implementation
Following the completion of the laboratory analysis, BPC proceeded with an on-site pilot installation, incorporating all of the specific environmental elements and ground conditions. The pilot also allowed the client to experience the ACT technology firsthand. During the pilot installation, the BPC solution underwent extensive evaluations by EAPC’s finance, engineering, and environmental personnel.
The pilot phase also tested the ability of ACT to overcome a simulated catastrophic event of extremely contaminated effluent by feeding the bio- reactor with crude oil. After a period of only four days, the system successfully stabilized the contamination. BPC’s control system sensed the changes in the bioreactor, performed an automatic analysis and then reacted accordingly.
Figure 3 : BPC Pilot System at EAPC
Pilot Results
The water was pumped into the ACT bioreactor, which is monitored by BPC’s control unit. This fully automated control unit maintained controlled conditions throughout the process and allowed optimal environmental conditions for the biological treatment. It also generated reports and system logs during and after the process. The water quality before and after the biological treatment was continuously measured and compared to the clients desired levels. As shown in the table below, the contamination levels were reduced to meet or exceed government discharge requirements. TPH was reduced from excess levels of 25-75 ppm to 1-2 ppm (less than the required level of 3 ppm). Phenol levels were brought down from 5 ppm to below 0.02 ppm. Turbidity was reduced from up to 1000 NTU to 7 NTU. BTEX was also reduced bellow detection levels.
BPC Field Analysis of EAPC Wastewater : Before and After Treatment | |||
---|---|---|---|
Parameters (ppm) | Before Treatment | After Treatment | Discharge Requirements |
TPH | 25-75 | 1-2 | 3 |
BOD | 300-1500 | 20-30 | 30 |
TOC | 400-1000 | 25-50 | 50 |
TSS | 10-100 | 2-15 | 50 |
Turbidity | 200-1000 | 2-7 | 30 |
pH | 7-9 | 7-9 | 6.5-9 |
Detergents | 1-5 | 1-2 | 3 |
Sulfide | 50-200 | <0.1 | 0.2 |
Phenol | 5 | <0.02 | 0.1 |
Cresol | 1 | <0.02 | 0.15 |
Benzene | 0.5 | <0.05 | 0.1 |
Xylene | 0.5 | <0.05 | 0.1 |
Toluene | 0.5 | <0.05 | 0.15 |
Overcoming inlet fluctuations
The pilot installation clearly demonstrated BPC’s ability to provide a stable bio-remediation process inside the bioreactor by overcoming fluctuations in the TPH concentrations.
The continuous flow both before and after treatment illustrate that despite significant fluctuations in the TPH inlet quality, the outlet was kept low and constant at a level below 3 ppm. The retention time of the bioreactor was 5 hours (20% of volume) at all times.
Figure 4 : TPH levels before and after the BPC- ACT treatment
Figure 5 : The BPC-ACT system integrates with existing infrastructure
Full-Scale Implementation
Following the client’s complete satisfaction with the results of the pilot, BPC proceeded with the design of the full-scale system for permanent installation at the EAPC site. In an attempt to minimize the client’s expenses, BPC converted an old API basin that previously existed in the client’s site into a bioreactor. As shown in the figure bellow, BPC’s system was seamlessly integrated with existing infrastructure.
Following an API gravitational separation the water is fed directly into the BPC bio- reactor for biological processing, monitored by the automated BPC control unit. The purified water can then be released into the sea with the full authorization of the local environmental protection authority. The reports and logs that are automatically generated by the BPC-control unit as well as the online alerts (via SMS or e-mails) allow EAPC personnel a full view of the system’s performance at all times.
Secondary Purification Impact
Prior to the BPC system installation, the aeration lagoons in which the inadequately treated water was released into had been covered with a growing layer of oil. The implementation of the BPC-ACT system had markedly improved the quality of the water discharged to the lagoon, and in addition led to a dramatic decrease of the contamination layer on the sand surface (see the figure below).
Figure 6 : Contaminated sand in the aeration lagoon
The Valuable Contribution of BPC
BPC provided a potent long-term solution for the client’s needs:
- High efficiency – The output of the system designed for EAPC is highly purified and complies with the regulatory requirements without any addition of chemicals or post treatments.
- Full automation – The BPC control unit enables a fully automated, easy to operate process that eliminates the need for highly skilled operators.
- Cost reduction – The conversion of an old existing basin to a BPC bioreactor, as well as the significant decrease in sludge production, the highly pure output and the simplicity of the process contribute to a large decrease in the client’s operational cost.
- Environmental impact – The BPC-ACT process results with highly pure and environmentally friendly output. Moreover, the on-going discharge of ACT-treated water through the aeration lagoon had significantly lowered the contamination level of the surrounding
Summary
BioPetroClean’s unique wastewater treatment technology, Automated Chemostat Treatment™, provides an efficient, cost-effective solution for small and medium capacity sites. The company’s recent project installation at EAPC, an oil storage farm, demonstrated BPC’s ability to treat highly contaminated water in a cost-effective manner.
After a successful pilot project, the results of which were reviewed thoroughly by EAPC’s finance, engineering, and environmental personnel, the client elected to move forward with a full-scale installation. BPC designed a water treatment system that used an existing basin as a bioreactor in order to reduce the client’s costs. The full-scale implementation vastly improved the purity of effluent and has additionally ameliorated the contamination levels of the sand of EAPC’s aeration lagoon.
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From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time.
Digital technology has made our world more transparent and interconnected, posing new challenges and opportunities for every business. As your budget progresses and evolves, continue referring to your SMART objectives. Stay focused and remember your goals – they will always inform what your next step will be!
From the designers and engineers who are creating the next generation of web and mobile experiences, to anyone putting a website together for the first time. We provide elegant solutions that set new standards for online publishing.
As your budget progresses and evolves, continue referring to your SMART objectives. Stay focused and remember your goals – they will always inform what your next step will be!