A REVIEW OF A SUCCESSFUL WATER REUSE PROJECT IMPLEMENTED IN A MAJOR PETROCHEMICAL PLANT FOR 10 YEARS

摘要

This paper provides a review of the implementation and operation of a successful advanced recycled water treatment system in operation for more than 10 years in a major petrochemical plant located in a water-limited area. The plant uses large amounts of water in its cooling towers and manufacturing process areas. The water supplied to the process and boilers is highly purified by the ion exchange deionization (DI) system at the plant. A water resources management study identified an in-plant recycled water project that would be both environmentally and economically beneficial to the plant. Because of the relatively high total dissolved solids (TDS) of the water supplied from the water company, using reverse osmosis (RO)-treated recycled water to feed the DI system would save 80 percent of the expensive DI regeneration cost. Together with the savings in water purchase cost and wastewater discharge fees, an economic evaluation indicated a simple payback of approximately four years for implementing a 4-mgd recycled water system. In addition, the recurring water shortage problems would be greatly alleviated.