Calcium Hydroxide-Based Degradation of Hydrocarbons in Petroleum Refinery Wastewater

Abstract

Hydrocarbons, aldehydes, sulfides, heavy metals, and other contaminants from petroleum treatment processes have been discovered in the oil and gas industry liquid discharge. Hydrocarbons primarily cause the pollution shared by all units. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of the coagulation-flocculation process in the primary treatment stage for the removal of hydrocarbons and turbidity from the effluent of the Algerian oil refinery RA1/Z. Using 1 g/L of calcium hydroxide coagulant and operating at a stirring speed of 100 rpm for 3 minutes, an excellent elimination of 95.1 % and 90.4 %, respectively, of turbidity and hydrocarbons, was achieved.