Energy and waste management for petroleum refining effluents : a case study in Bangladesh

Transport fuel is one of the major concerns of the energy market. This fuel mainly comes from the processing of crude petroleum oil. The transport fuel processing industries, such as crude oil distillation plants, gas condensate fractionation plants, natural gas processing plants, etc., are one of the most energy- and emission-intensive sectors in the world. On the other hand, the handling and transportation of petroleum products like gasoline, kerosene, diesel, naphtha, octane and sprite, etc. also produce environmental pollution. This study reviewed energy and waste management by transport fuel processing industries in Bangladesh. Such industries are also known as petrochemical industries. They mainly produce gaseous pollutants such as process gas, waste gas, etc. and liquid pollutants such as produced water, waste oil and grease, etc. The gaseous pollutants are burnt in the flare system to save the environment. The liquid pollutants are more hazardous because of their higher salinity and corrosivity and higher amounts of grease. The literature on waste water management techniques, pollution abatement techniques and oil-water separator techniques is described. The waste water treatment techniques used in the case study industries are briefly discussed. Energy flows for both gaseous and liquid waste management are developed. Energy-saving and time frame measures which can be implemented are also outlined. The study found that the rational use of energy and proper environmental management are essential for achieving the energy and environmental sustainability of transport fuel process industries.