Separation and Removal of Hydrocarbon Compounds from Industrial Wastewater Using a Combined Approach of Oxidation, Adsorption, and Nanofiltration

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to use oxidation, adsorption, and nanofiltration in combination to separate and remove hydrocarbon compounds from industrial effluent. Initially, anthracite adsorption was used to remove hydrocarbon compounds from a refinery's wastewater. The refinery's wastewater was then subjected to advanced Fenton oxidation in order to eliminate hydrocarbon compounds. The oxidation process had a better removal percentage and a greater optimal hydrocarbon content than the adsorption method, according to a comparison of the results of the two processes (Fenton and adsorption). As a result, the oxidation process was started from the beginning of this series chain. However, in this round, the optimal parameters were determined as there was not any variation in the hydrocarbon concentration and the feed was the refinery's effluent, which had 40.2 mg/L of hydrocarbon compounds. 5.1 mg/L of hydrocarbon compounds existed in the Fenton process output, which was kept in the reservoir and used as feed for the adsorption process series. The feed from the Fenton stage's output was used to adjust the adsorption process's parameters. 2.16 mg/L of hydrocarbon compounds existed in the adsorption stage's output, which served as feedstock for the nanofiltration process. When all three of these steps were combined, the nanofiltration step produced water that could be used in the refinery's internal networks at a concentration of 0.4 mg/L of hydrocarbon compounds.