DESIGN OF GROUNDWATER RECHARGE FACILITY FOR TREATED EFFLUENT OF ATTOCK REFINERY LIMITED

Abstract

Effluent treatment plants serve as vital necessities for both industrial operations and the preservation of our environment. Their significance lies in their ability to facilitate the safe discharge or reuse of wastewater. Our current project focuses on a distinctive endeavor: designing a state-of-the-art water treatment and groundwater recharge facility exclusively tailored for Attock Refinery Limited (ARL). The primary objective of this facility is to adhere to the stringent standards outlined in the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS) for groundwater discharge. A meticulously planned process comprising three crucial unit operations has been devised to achieve this: pH control, BOD removal, and membrane operation. In stark contrast to zero liquid discharge systems, which entail the complete elimination of wastewater, our approach allows for groundwater discharge. This approach grants a broader scope of water usage, encompassing drinking purposes, irrigation for agricultural fields, and integration into secondary processes within the refinery. Simultaneously, it ensures that water disposal into natural water bodies remains within acceptable limits, thus striking a balance between water conservation and maintaining a harmonious ecological equilibrium.