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Yorktown refinery and Hampton Roads Sanitation District
In July 2002 recycled water started flowing into the Yorktown oil refinery in Virginia, USA as part of a $3 million project between Hampton Roads Sanitation District and Giant Industries (the owners of the 60 000 barrels/day refinery). Treated wastewater from the York River Wastewater Treatment Works is supplied to the refinery at less than 60% of the cost of potable water. The recycled water is used at the refinery for a variety of purposes including cooling, crude oil desalting, coke cutting, rinsing and chemical mixing. 2.07 million litres per day are supplied to the refinery and the contract between the two parties specifies that this water must meet specified water quality objectives (see Table 1) laid down by the two parties in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environment.
Table 1. Water Quality Standards for Recycled Water at Yorktown Refinery.
| Parameter |
Required standard |
| Total suspended solids |
<10 mg/l |
| Turbidity |
<5 NTU |
| pH |
6 – 9 |
| Faecal coliforms |
< 200/100ml |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand |
< 40mg/l |
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Other parameters include chlorine residuals, ammonia, calcium and sodium |
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The benefits of this public-private partnership are clear to both parties: water quality in Chesapeake Bay has improved since the nutrient-rich wastewater has been diverted to the refinery and Giant has a cheaper water source which is also more reliable since supply is not affected by drought. There is the potential to extend the project to supply recycled water as boiler feed water at the refinery subject to further treatment via reverse osmosis.
References
(1) Hampton Roads Sanitation District press release (2002) http://www.hrsd.state.va.us/pdf/WaterReuseLaunching.pdf
(2) Hampton Roads Sanitation District website (2005) http://www.hrsd.state.va.us/waterreuse.htm
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