Membrane Technology Aids Refinery Wastewater for Advanced Treatment
Membrane technology and other advanced wastewater treatment methods have provided an effective solution for reducing water usage in the petrochemical industry, one of China's six key sectors focused on energy conservation and emission reduction. According to a recent seminar on the application of third-generation membrane separation technology in the petroleum and chemical industry, which concluded on the 7th, Chinese refining and chemical companies now have average fresh water consumption and wastewater discharge levels that are close to global standards, with some even surpassing international benchmarks.
Qiao Yingbin, a researcher at Sinopec’s Bureau of Scientific and Technological Development, highlighted that fresh water and sewage discharge per ton of crude oil are critical indicators of refining efficiency. Globally, the advanced standard is 0.5 tons of fresh water and 0.3 tons of wastewater per ton of crude. In 2000, the average consumption in China was 2.4 tons of fresh water and 1.8 tons of wastewater per ton of oil—nearly five and six times higher than the international level, respectively. By 2007, these figures had dropped to 0.7–0.8 tons and 0.5 tons, nearing global standards. Zhenhai Refinery, for example, achieved even better results, using just 0.38 tons of water and discharging only 0.18 tons per ton of oil.
Refining wastewater is known for its complexity, high organic content, and difficulty in biodegradation. It requires deep treatment to reduce COD (chemical oxygen demand), oil, and inorganic salts. Traditional biochemical methods often fail to meet the required standards, leaving high COD, BOD, and ammonia nitrogen levels. Membrane technologies such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and membrane bioreactors help reduce turbidity, oil, COD, and sludge index. Meanwhile, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes effectively lower hardness, alkalinity, and salt content.
The dual-membrane system (ultrafiltration + reverse osmosis) has become a preferred choice due to its excellent effluent quality, ease of automation, compact design, and environmental benefits. This system not only improves water reuse but also significantly reduces freshwater consumption.
In June 2004, Yanshan Petrochemical became the first in China to implement this dual-membrane technology for advanced wastewater treatment, achieving a breakthrough in desalinating wastewater for boiler feed. This marked a shift from simple compliance with discharge standards to full-scale water recycling. Following this success, companies like Baling, Huizhou Dayawan, Karamay, Daqing, Qilu, and Dushanzi also adopted membrane systems, enabling efficient wastewater purification. Treated water can now be directly used in cooling towers and heat exchangers, greatly improving water resource efficiency and supporting sustainable industrial growth.
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