SITEL, Integrated Wastewater Treatment System of South Petrochemical Complex, has been processing liquid wastes from this industrial area since November 1982. The Complex consists of an olefins plant and some second-generation plants that produce mainly thermoplastic resins. In this paper a comprehensive appraisal is presented of the operation of SITEL during the years 1985-1986. Data on the raw effluents produced by the individual contributors are presented, together with information on removal efficiencies of all parameters monitored throughout the different units and phases of treatment. A comparison between design characteristics and actual operational data of the system is also provided. Attention is drawn to results of bioassays and other peculiar methods of ecological and biological monitoring adopted at SITEL. This special monitoring routine shows that the tertiary treatment phase (consisting of eight waste stabilization ponds) accomplishes reduction of sublethal effects from the effluent that are not detected by conventional physico-chemical analyses. Data on priority pollutants are also presented, showing a reduction of the contents of most of these contaminants by the secondary (activated sludge) phase of treatment. Since the final effluent is applied on land, data on quality of underground water are also presented together with data on the quality of the nearest river. These are not appreciably altered by the final effluent from SITEL, except for certain parameters associated with dissolved ions that are mobile in soil, i.e., Na, Cl−, SO4−− and TDS. Comments on interesting cases of negative removal efficiencies are presented. Most of them can be ascribed to unique characteristics of the treatment system. Comparisons between operating costs of SITEL and data provided by other authors are also made. It is concluded that these costs are not high and can be reduced if more industries are installed in the South Petrochemical Complex and connected to SITEL. As a whole, the plant has been operating successfully with a high benefit/cost relationship.
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