STUDY OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT UNIT IN ALBREGA COMPANY AZAWIA, LIBYA

Abstract

Petroleum refining industry uses large volumes of water. The water demand is up to 3 m³ of water for each ton of petroleum processed. The quantity of the wastewater generated in the refineries is almost 50% of the used fresh water. When this water discharged into streams or other bodies of water, they eventually lead to catastrophic water pollution. Furthermore the presence of this water in the oil streams during petroleum production may create severe problems such as expensive pumping due to increase of crude oil viscosity, corrosion of pipes and pumps, poisoning catalysts. The  industrial wastewater samples were collected from different points and locations over a sufficient period of time in wastewater treatment unit at Azzawiya terminal storage Albrega  oil company. The collected samples were analysed for the estimation of,  oil and organic matter contents (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD),   electrical conductivity, dissolved metal contents.