Assessment of Quality Parameters of Industrial and Wastewater in Various Systems at Elobeid Petroleum Refinery

Abstract

This study aimed to assessment the quality parameters in industrial and waste water in various systems at Elobeid Petroleum Refinery viz; (Boiler, Cooling tower and Industrial waste water).All samples were collected during the period (December 2024-January 2025). The water samples were analyzed in the laboratories of Elobeid Petroleum Refinery. The instruments used in analysis include: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, EC/TDS/T auto-ranging Bench meter, pH meter and ORP meter, Spectrophotometer (Hach USA DR/3900), DR/4000 and DR/6000, Reactor (Hach DRB200) and BOD Incubator. The parameters were assessed according to the national and international guidelines. The procedure was made to determine the characteristics of water conform or differ from the standard specification for manufacturing purposes, as well as to verify the effectiveness of the treating procedures to achieve these specifications. Boilers water was found suitable for low and medium-pressure systems, but it exceeds the limits of chloride (64.6 mg/l), total iron (0.16 mg/l), total hardness (8.8 mg/l), phosphate (0.27 mg/l) and dissolved oxygen (2.5 mg/l) under high-pressure conditions, posing risks of corrosion and scaling. Other parameters for this water such as TH, TDS and Total Alkalinity (TA) were found within the acceptable limits of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Cooling tower water generally met General Services Administration (GSA) specifications, although high total alkalinity (255 mg/l) may promote carbonate scaling. Industrial wastewater was largely within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Phenols and Oil and Grease within acceptable limits of (EPA) with only a slight exceedance in TDS (510 mg/l). In conclusion the treatment processes for the refinery water are effective, but some of them were such as heavy metals removal, corrosion control, and high-pressure boiler water conditioning require further optimization. The study recommends: regular monitoring and advanced treatment interventions to ensure long-term compliance and environmental sustainability, adopting a comprehensive asset integrity risk management program, linking equipment risks to water quality parameters (chloride, iron, DO, and alkalinity), and identifying key performance indicators.