NEWS RELEASE:
Researchers report initial findings for minimizing discharges into Lake Michigan
Source or upstream treatment of wastewater before it reaches the BP Whiting refinery’s wastewater treatment plant seems to be a viable approach to integrate, complement and improve the effectiveness of downstream treatment options relative to the refinery’s pending $3.8 billion modernization.
That is according to a study presented at a community briefing Thursday (6/5) by scientific researchers from Purdue University Calumet’s Water Institute and Argonne National Laboratory, held at Purdue Calumet’s Academic Learning Center.
The researchers have been collaborating since early last fall on a project to explore emerging technologies and approaches for improving wastewater treatment options. Their work has included screening new and emerging technologies for removing ammonia and total suspended solids (TSS) from wastewater discharges. Triggering the project has been BP’s anticipated Whiting refinery modernization, designed to increase processing of Canadian heavy crude oil.
Concerned about the amount of ammonia and TSS discharges into Lake Michigan that the modernization might generate, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.) and U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) requested the study. BP agreed to it and, subsequently, provided a research grant to the Purdue Calumet Water Institute to collaborate with Argonne.
“In our study, we identified technologies that treat segregated waste upstream and technologies applicable downstream at the wastewater treatment plant,” said George Nnanna, Purdue Calumet Water Institute interim director and co-principal investigator of the study. “Potential upstream treatment technologies include desalter optimization and brine treatment for TSS control, while recovery of ammonia from sour water could be possible for long-term deployment.”
Nnanna added that biological systems are capable of removing both ammonia and TSS downstream in the wastewater treatment process.
“Our study further revealed that equalization of influent streams will help to minimize concentration swings and prevent upsets,” he said. “The treatment we identified requires varying degrees of additional testing and research. Also, the selection and design of the best fitting technologies would require detailed engineering analysis.”
Additionally, in observing various pollutants reaching Lake Michigan waters, the researchers determined that industrial, municipal and non-point sources, such as runoff and air deposition, contribute to the overall loadings of ammonia, TSS and metals.
Joining Nnanna in presenting research findings were: M. Cristina Negri, soil scientist and environmental engineer with Argonne’s Energy Systems Division and co-principal investigator of the study; Argonne Water Policy Program Manager John Veil; and Purdue Research Assistant and Laboratory Manager Eric McLamore.
After presenting a final report to BP later this month, the researchers will focus on Phase II of the project: identifying and testing emerging technologies for addressing wastewater discharges of mercury and other metals, and completing a comparative analysis of overall discharges throughout the entire Lake Michigan region.
Additional information is available at the following web sites:
Individuals can e-mail questions or request to be added to the mailing list of future Purdue Calumet Water Institute community briefings at research@calumet.purdue.edu
News Release Date: June 5, 2008 |
