35-85% Volume Reduction
Oil Sludge Dewatering - Central Chile Refinery
Type
Oil Refinery
Industry
Hydrocarbons Refining
Objective
Reduce disposal costs through sludge dewatering
The Challenge
4.5+ million kg/year of oil sludge with high moisture generate excessive transport and disposal costs
High Moisture
70-92% water content
Increases transport weight and volume
High Volume Generated
4.5M kg/year
Three critical process streams
Logistics Costs
Transport + Disposal
Significant OPEX impact
Three Critical Streams
The Tec-Ionic Solution
Laboratory technical validation without client investment
Innovative Approach
- No client investment - technical validation with TecIonic equipment
- Laboratory testing - with industrial-scale equivalent filters
- Physicochemical characterization - complete for three streams
Applied Technology
- Mobile vacuum filtration - portable and flexible technology
- Industrial filter press - real-scale simulation
- Centrifuge systems - alternative evaluation
5 Additional Opportunities Identified
During the study, applications were identified in Delayed Coker, FCC, effluent treatment, API separators, and storage tanks, expanding the potential impact of mobile filtration technology in the refinery.
Validation Results
Proven volume reduction in three sludge streams
Phenolic Plant Sludge
Highest dewatering efficiency achieved
Phenols Plant Sludge
Excellent moisture reduction
Process Sludge
Lower initial moisture, still effective
Global Dewatering Impact
Before Treatment
With Mobile Filtration Technology
Competitive Advantages of the Solution
No Client Investment
Technical validation without capital commitment, reducing financial risk
Mobile Technology
Portable equipment allows operation at multiple refinery points
Logistics Cost Reduction
Lower volume and weight dramatically reduce transport and disposal costs
Potential Water Recovery
Extracted water can be reused in refinery industrial processes
Proven Scalability
20+ years of mining experience applied to the oil sector
Multiple Applications
5 additional opportunities identified in refinery processes
Technical Conclusion
The technical validation performed by Tec-Ionic Durban at this refinery demonstrates the viability of significantly reducing oil sludge volume through mobile filtration technology, with volume reductions ranging from 32.96% to 84.23% depending on the stream.
This solution allows the refinery to evaluate the technology without capital investment, reduce transport and disposal costs, and potentially recover water for reuse. The identification of 5 additional opportunities in different refinery processes expands the potential impact of mobile filtration technology in the oil sector.
Need to Reduce Sludge Disposal Costs?
Our specialists can help you validate dewatering solutions without initial investment, with mobile technology proven in mining and oil sectors.