Minimization and optimization of water consumption in an oil refinery using water pinch analysis: A case study in Iran

• Published in: Water resources and industry Vol. 31; p. 100254
• Main Authors: Hashemi, Hassan, Hashemi, Fallah, Young, Stephanie, Rosti, Firouz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemical oxygen demand; Total dissolved solids; Water minimization; Water optimization; Water pinch analysis; Water optimization; Water pinch analysis; Total dissolved solids; Chemical oxygen demand; Water minimization
• ISSN: 2212-3717; 2212-3717
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wri.2024.100254

In the present study, to minimize water consumption and reduce wastewater production in an oil refinery, a technique called water pinch analysis (WPA) was used with two single and double pollutant approaches. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were selected as the index pollutants. The results showed that the use of WPA has reduced the overall consumption of freshwater in the refinery on average between 79 m3/h (45%) in the single pollutant approach (77 m3/h for COD and 81 m3/h for TDS) and 99 m3/h (56%) in the double pollutant approach. It was also found that the volume of produced oily and sanitary effluents decreased between 31 and 52 m3/h. These findings show that WPA is a useful tool that can help make strategic decisions to minimize water consumption and modify consumption patterns in industries, and by reducing effluent production environmental risks will be reduced. [Display omitted] •The WPA with two single and double pollutant approaches was used to minimize water.•Using the single pollutant approach, freshwater consumption was reduced by 79 m3/h.•Using the double pollutant approach, freshwater consumption was reduced by 99 m3/h.•Effluent decreased by 31 and 52 m3/h in single and double approaches, respectively.