W05 Refinery and Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment: Process Control Strategies

Sunday, October 6
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Refinery and petrochemical wastewater treatment engineers and operators face significant pressure to maintain effective operations under challenging conditions. This workshop engages participants in real-life operational issues and practical problem-solving exercises. Challenges and effective strategies will be presented by an experienced facilitator. Problem-solving sessions allow attendees to select a challenge and work in groups to identify solutions. The solution to each problem will then be presented by the groups to the wider audience.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to identify performance challenges and develop solutions to physical, chemical, and biological challenges unique to refinery wastewater treatment plant unit operations. Operational troubleshooting and practices will be applied such that the attendees will be able to perform the following:

• Incorporate routine process monitoring parameters in daily operation of the refinery treatment unit, identify emerging upset conditions, and incorporate control measures.
• Identify root causes of oxygen transfer limitations and determine cost-effective options to alleviate the overloaded condition.
• Quantify volatile organic compounds associated with the primary oil/water separation process and mitigate discharges.
• Develop control strategies at refinery and petrochemical wastewater treatment plants during plant turnaround.
• Evaluate current biosolids handling and dewatering practices and improve operations (including contract operations performance).
• Minimize risks with operation for membrane bioreactor operation and employ effective pretreatment.

Workshop Organizers

• Workshop Chair: Everett Gill, Brown and Caldwell
• Workshop Vice Chair: Jamal Shamas, Marathon Petroleum Co.