Chemical Monitoring: Effective Use of Chemical Analysis for Optimization of Contaminant Removal

Abstract

A number of comprehensive programs have been carried out to characterize oil refinery wastewaters with respect to specific organic and inorganic toxic chemicals. This paper provides some background on these studies which have shown that wastewater treatment systems at refinery sites are effective in reducing or removing toxic chemicals. Also presented is a discussion of analytical variability so readers can better appreciate the validity of results obtained from effluent monitoring programs. The variability associated with some chemical analyses, can be significant. Finally, a recommended approach towards routinely monitoring effluent quality and effectiveness of treatment, is presented. This approach involves the monitoring for total phenols, as a possible “surrogate” parameter, along with a “short list” of demonstration parameters.