Section Four
AEROBIC FIXED-FILM PROCESSES
11    UTILIZING HIGH RATE FIXED-FILM BIOLOGICAL
TECHNOLOGY TO CONTROL UPSET CONDITIONS IN
REFINERY WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Andrea J. Bart old i, Environmental Engineer
Guy E. Hillard, Manager Process Services
Witco Corporation
Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701
James E. Blair, Manager Biological Systems
Lancy International
Zelienople, Pennsylvania 16063
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
Treatment History
The Kendall Refining Company has been treating waste water since the early seventies. This was the
result of a phenol discharge which was toxic to fish in the Tunungwant Creek. The treatment was
limited to chlorination to oxidize the phenols and a make-shift cooling tower to control thermal
pollution.
Their first National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit was issued in 1974.
This permit included the monitoring for the following conventional pollutants: Chemical oxygen
demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and oils and grease (O&G).
In 1977, following a compliance schedule, the permit included biological oxygen demand (BOD).
An induced air flotation unit (IAF) was installed in 1978. The permit parameters and limits are listed
in Table I.
The plant had been having difficulties consistently meeting effluent requirements for BOD and
COD. Investigations of the contributions of various plant streams were conducted. Components
exhibiting high tendencies toward BOD and COD were analyzed.
Through these investigations, three sources were discovered. These were: crude desalter water,
water from an electrostatic process removing inorganic chlorides from crude oil; methyl ethyl ketone
(MEK), a solvent from lube oil dewaxing; and n-methyl2-pyrrolidone (nMP), a solvent from a lube
oil extraction process.
Table I.    Permit Parameters and Limits
Mass Loading (Pounds/Day)
Average                   Maximum
Concentration
(mg/L)
Parameter
Average
Maximum
BOD
100
200
33.30a
66.60*
COD
400
800
133.30a
266.60a
TSS
113
225
30
75a
O&G
56
112
15
37.30a
Phenol
.50
1
.12
.33a
Flow (MGD)
.45
a Based on flow of 250 gpm.
85