Multi-technology GE upgrade for Russian refinery treatment

Membrane bioreactor (MBR), electrodialysis reversal (EDR) and reverse osmosis (RO) technology will all feature in a major upgrade for the wastewater treatment at one of Russia’s biggest oil refineries.

A successful pilot study of different technologies was conducted in April‑July 2013 at the Bashneft‑Ufaneftekhim oil processing complex by GE in cooperation with the Bashneft oil company and State Unitary Enterprise–Institute of Petroleum Refining & Petrochemistry of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

This demonstrated the technological feasibility of refinery wastewater purification in compliance with the strict requirements of environmental legislation of the Russian Federation.

Based on the pilot’s performance and further techno-economic calculations, Bashneft has chosen GE’s MBR, EDR and RO as the core technology of the modernization project for a biological treatment plant (BTP) of the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim branch. To continue development of the BTP design, Bashneft awarded GE the basic engineering contract for all of the main technological equipment and processes.

Cutting-edge purification methods, also including ion-exchange polishing, will enable implementation of water reuse and the minimization of water intake requirements.

A distinctive feature of purification based on the GE process is the absence of primary 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. Waste solids dewatering is performed by compact centrifuges.

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