Clarifying Freshwater for a Refinery

A REFINERY was unable to maintain its turbidity KPI to <5 NTU making it necessary to constantly supervise the daily fluctuations.

BACKGROUND:

Companies that rely on freshwater clarification for reverse osmosis, ion exchange, process water, feedwater, or cooling towers are concerned about the shortages and increasing cost of polyDADMAC. It’s becoming less reliably available and economical, driving interest in other options that allow operators to reach their KPIs.

PROBLEM:

‍On top of increasing supply challenges with polyDADMAC, a refinery on the Sabine River has been unable to maintain its turbidity KPI to <5 NTU making it necessary to constantly supervise the daily fluctuations.

Though they use a sludge blanket clarifier system, it’s been difficult maintaining the sludge blanket itself to mitigate carry over.

SOLUTION:

‍We tested the performance of SimpleFloc to help the refinery fully transition from relying on polyDADMAC.

RESULTS:

‍Tests consistently resulted in better clarity with lower NTUs over a wider range of dosing. We saw faster flocculation with lower dosing than commodity dry or emulsion polymers due to SimpleFloc’s pre-made-down state.

BOTTOM LINE:

The switch from polyDADMAC to SimpleFloc + ACH created better KPIs while reducing manpower, the chance of spills and HS&E incidents, and emissions.

Chemistry to compete

CarboNet’s NanoNet platform generates flocculants, coagulants, and targeting agents that that adjust in real time to changing wastewater conditions—cutting cost, dose rates, labor, and emissions.