An analysis of water management in Brazilian petroleum refineries using rationalization techniques

CATEGORY: WATER MANAGEMENT
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 73, April 2013, Pages 172–179
An analysis of water management in Brazilian petroleum refineries using rationalization techniques
Felipe Ramalho Pombo, Alessandra Magrini, Alexandre Szklo
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Energy Planning Program, Cidade Universitária, C.T., sala C211, 21949-972, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Abstract
Assesses the application of rationalization techniques in oil refineries to preserve freshwater resources. These include conservation, recycling and reuse of water and Pinch technique. Worldwide, a number of refineries use treated household wastewater. In Brazil the technique is planned for two refineries.
Water conservation and recycling initiatives also hold promise in various areas, including reduction of losses, replacement of cooling towers with smaller units and recycling of blowdown into cooling towers and steam generation systems. Technologies such as ion exchange, nanofiltration and advanced oxidative processes gain importance for wastewater reuse. The Pinch technique reduces the withdrawal of water and its associated costs. Various technologies are being tested in pilot plants in the Brazilian REGAP refinery (in Minas Gerais  state, with installed capacity of 151,000 barrels/day). Those that prove most successful will  be incorporated into other Petrobras refineries.
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