Demonstration of a maximum recycle, sidestream softening system at a petrochemical plant
The purpose of this study was to delineate the performance of maximum recycle, sidestream softening system at the USS Chemicals plant in Houston, Texas. The system is composed of two lime softening units that treat the blowdown from the cooling water system. The softeners remove the calcium, magnesium, silica, and carbonate ions. The water is then processed through a recarbonator and filter for return to the cooling water system. Various process effluents from the petrochemical units are treated and added to the cooling water. The only liquid discharge from the plant is the high salt content spent demineralizer regeneration water. The major problem discovered was biofouling in the heat transfer system caused by high concentrations of organic materials in the cooling water. Softener operation was stabilized and improved during the study period. Other investigations included: the fate of carbon dioxide used for pH control in the cooling towers, the toxicity of the softener sludge, and the design of an emergency blowdown.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Houston, Houston, TX
- OSTI ID:
- 5158521
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020500* -- Petroleum-- Products & By-Products
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
BLOWDOWN
CALCIUM
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONATE ROCKS
CARBONATES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL PLANTS
COOLING TOWERS
DEMINERALIZATION
ELEMENTS
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FEDERAL REGION VI
FILTERS
FOULING
HEAT TRANSFER
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
IONS
LIMESTONE
MAGNESIUM
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
METALS
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS
PH VALUE
REGENERATION
REMOVAL
ROCKS
SALTS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SLUDGES
START-UP
TESTING
TEXAS
TOWERS
TOXICITY
USA
WATER TREATMENT