OREANDA-NEWS. Gazprom Neft's Moscow Refinery has selected a final wastewater treatment process to be employed in the construction of the second phase of the production site's underground wastewater treatment plant. The selected biological treatment method, unique in the Russian oil refining industry, will remove 99% of pollutants from wastewater and reduce the site's water consumption by a factor of 2.5.

Moscow Oil Refinery Plant (MORP)

The use of a membrane biological reactor makes this method more efficient in comparison with conventional, chemical-based treatment methods, and enables almost total purification of wastewater through the use of activated sludge which absorbs organic matter, nitrogen, and other petroleum products. The use of a multi-stage treatment system will enable up to 75% of the water to be returned to the production cycle and will reduce the load on the wastewater treatment plant by a factor of three.

Moscow Oil Refinery Plant (MORP)

Under the plan, the second phase of the treatment plant will be commissioned in 2016. The biological wastewater treatment plant will form part of a single facility together with the underground mechanical wastewater treatment plant commissioned in 2012.

“The implementation of projects aimed at reducing the site's impact on the environment is an important part of the Moscow Refinery's upgrade programme. We are constantly improving our water purification system, employing new techniques to reduce atmospheric emissions, and at the same time monitoring our key environmental performance indicators on an ongoing basis keeping the regulatory authorities fully informed. When implementing such large-scale projects, we focus on applying the best European and international practices”, said Arkadiy Egizaryan, CEO of the Moscow Refinery.