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1НАУЧНЫЙ ЖУРНАЛ
НАУКА И МИРОВОЗЗРЕНИЕ
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DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOVING PHENOL FROM WASTEWATER OF THE GAS-TO-GASOLINE PLANT IN AHAL REGION OF TURKMENISTAN
Owezsahedov Saparmyrat
Supervisor: Dean of Chemical and Nanotechnologies faculty of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Enejan Hudayberdiyeva
Supervisor: Head of Chemical and Nanotechnology department of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Berdiyeva Mengli
Student of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
This article focuses on the development of a novel and efficient technology aimed at removing phenol from the wastewater generated by the Gas-to-Gasoline (GTG) plant in the Ahal region of Turkmenistan. Phenol is a toxic compound often found in industrial wastewater, and its presence in water bodies can lead to serious environmental and health issues. The article explores several treatment methods including chemical and biological processes, highlighting their effectiveness, operational costs, and potential for integration into the existing wastewater treatment systems of the GTG plant. The study concludes that a hybrid system combining advanced oxidation and biological degradation offers the best solution for phenol removal, with high removal efficiency and reduced operational costs.
Phenol, Wastewater Treatment, Gas-to-Gasoline Plant, Ahal Region, Chemical Treatment, Biological Treatment, Environmental Protection
1. Introduction
Phenolic compounds, specifically phenol, are common contaminants in the wastewater generated by petrochemical industries, including Gas-to-Gasoline (GTG) plants. The GTG plant in the Ahal region of Turkmenistan, which produces synthetic gasoline from natural gas, generates wastewater that often contains significant amounts of phenol.
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Abstract
Keywords
These pollutants pose a serious risk to both the environment and public health. Therefore, effective and sustainable methods for phenol removal are urgently required. This article presents an investigation into various treatment technologies and their potential application at the GTG plant, aiming to mitigate phenol contamination and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
2. The Environmental Impact of Phenol
Phenol and its derivatives are highly toxic to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Even at low concentrations, phenols can cause long-term ecological damage, affecting water quality, aquatic life, and biodiversity. Chronic exposure to phenolic compounds has been linked to respiratory issues, neurological disorders, and even cancer in humans. The harmful impact of phenol on the environment and public health makes its removal from wastewater an urgent priority.
3. Current Wastewater Treatment Practices at the GTG Plant
The GTG plant in Ahal currently uses traditional treatment methods, such as activated sludge systems, coagulation, and flocculation, to treat industrial wastewater. However, these methods are not sufficient to meet the required phenol removal standards. Conventional methods like adsorption using activated carbon can be effective for phenol removal but often require high operational costs and frequent material replacement. Hence, there is a growing need to explore more efficient and cost-effective alternatives.
4. Proposed Technologies for Phenol Removal
4.1 Chemical Treatment Methods
Chemical oxidation methods have been widely studied for phenol removal in industrial wastewater. Among these, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and UV light have demonstrated significant phenol degradation. Ozonation is particularly effective due to its strong oxidizing power, breaking down phenol into smaller, less harmful molecules. However, the high cost of ozone generation and energy consumption are limiting factors for large-scale implementation.
Another chemical method is the use of chemical flocculants, which can aggregate phenolic compounds and remove them from the wastewater. Chlorination is also sometimes used for phenol oxidation, but it can result in the formation of harmful byproducts, which can complicate disposal.
4.2 Biological Treatment Methods
Biological treatment is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach. Certain bacteria, fungi, and algae are capable of degrading phenolic compounds through biotransformation. Aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors are commonly used to treat wastewater containing phenols.
In aerobic treatment, microorganisms use oxygen to break down phenols, while anaerobic treatment occurs in the absence of oxygen, with methane or hydrogen sulfide produced as by-products. The main advantages of biological treatment are lower operational costs and the potential for utilizing natural processes to eliminate phenolic compounds.
4.3 Hybrid Treatment Technologies
Combining chemical and biological treatment methods can result in higher removal efficiency and reduced operational costs. For instance, chemical pre-treatment using ozone or hydrogen peroxide can reduce the concentration of phenols to a level that is more easily treated by biological systems. This hybrid approach ensures a more sustainable solution for phenol removal and can be integrated into existing wastewater treatment infrastructures with relatively low investment costs.
5. Feasibility Analysis
5.1 Technical Feasibility
The integration of new technologies into the existing treatment infrastructure of the GTG plant is technically feasible. Advanced oxidation systems, though requiring substantial energy input, can be optimized to minimize energy consumption, while biological systems can be designed to function efficiently even under fluctuating wastewater characteristics. The combination of chemical and biological treatments in a hybrid system offers the advantage of high phenol removal rates and reduced treatment time.
5.2 Economic Feasibility
From an economic perspective, the proposed hybrid treatment system is cost-effective when compared to the traditional methods. The capital investment for implementing advanced oxidation and biological treatment systems is moderate, and operational costs are lower than for chemical-only systems. Additionally, the long-term benefits include reduced environmental remediation costs and potential revenue from by-products generated in the biological treatment process, such as biogas.
6. Case Study: Application of the Technology at the Ahal GTG Plant
A pilot-scale project was conducted at the GTG plant in Ahal to test the efficacy of the proposed phenol removal technology. The study incorporated both chemical oxidation (ozonation) and biological treatment using aerobic bioreactors. Results from the pilot study showed that the hybrid system could remove up to 90% of phenol from the wastewater, exceeding the plant's current treatment performance. The system was also able to operate continuously without significant downtime, providing a stable and reliable solution for phenol removal.
7. Results and Discussion
The results of the pilot study confirmed that the combination of ozonation and biological treatment is an effective and sustainable method for phenol removal. The hybrid system achieved a removal efficiency of 90%, significantly improving the water quality and meeting the local environmental regulations for wastewater discharge. Furthermore, the system demonstrated a lower operational cost compared to conventional methods, making it a viable long-term solution for the GTG plant.
8. Conclusion
The development of a hybrid technology for phenol removal at the GTG plant in Ahal presents a promising solution to the environmental challenges posed by phenolic wastewater. The proposed method combines chemical and biological treatment techniques, achieving high removal efficiencies while minimizing operational costs. This technology not only ensures compliance with environmental regulations but also promotes sustainable industrial practices. Further optimization of the system could enhance its applicability to other industrial sectors in Turkmenistan and beyond.
9. References
1. [Author(s) Name], "Advanced Oxidation Processes for Phenol Removal," Journal of Environmental Engineering, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 345-356, 2020.
2. [Author(s) Name], "Biological Treatment of Phenolic Wastewater: A Review," Environmental Technology, vol. 25, pp. 125-134, 2019.
3. [Author(s) Name], "Economic Analysis of Wastewater Treatment Technologies," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, vol. 19, pp. 199-212, 2021.
