"Water is a limited resource, and in this refinery, every gallon saved is a win for sustainability." – Juan Meneses

Water is a critical resource in industrial operations, and improving efficiency is a top priority for many companies. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, discusses how a Western refinery optimized its water footprint using advanced treatment technologies.

This episode is packed with insights on water conservation strategies, sustainability goals, and the role of advanced monitoring technologies like 3D TRASAR in maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Key Topics Covered:

The Challenges of Water Usage in Refineries

This refinery faced rising water costs and increasing sustainability pressures. With water sourced from the city, costs were projected to rise by 5% annually, with wastewater discharge costs climbing even faster. Finding ways to reduce water consumption while maintaining efficiency was a top priority.

Optimizing Cooling Towers for Maximum Water Efficiency

Cooling towers presented a key opportunity for conservation. The team aimed to increase cycles of concentration to reduce water waste without compromising system integrity. By using 3D TRASAR technology, they monitored real-time conditions, allowing precise adjustments to prevent scaling and corrosion.

Implementing Smart Water Treatment Strategies

To sustain higher cycles, the refinery introduced dual cathodic inhibitors and high-charge polymers, enhancing corrosion and scale control. pH adjustments ensured effective biocide performance while maintaining system reliability. This strategic shift allowed for significant reductions in water and chemical use.

Results and Lessons Learned

By increasing cycles from 5.5 to 9.3, the refinery saved 52 million gallons of water annually while cutting wastewater discharge and chemical consumption. The biggest takeaway? Real-time monitoring and proactive pH control are essential for maintaining efficiency at higher cycles.

Best Practices for Industrial Water Optimization

Collaboration between plant operators and water treatment professionals is key. Regular monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and advanced automation tools can help refineries maximize efficiency while meeting sustainability goals.

Water conservation is good for business and the environment. Could your facility save millions of gallons? Explore advanced water treatment strategies today. Learn more at ScalingUpH2O.com.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps

02:14 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals

08:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald

10:20 – Interview with returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water about Western Refinery Water Efficiency

11:06 – The biggest water challenges faced by the refinery

12:11 – Strategies for optimizing water footprint and sustainability goals

14:07 – How 3D TRASAR and modeling software improve water efficiency

24:50 – Water savings achieved: 52 million gallons saved

29:21 – Best practices for communicating water optimization goals

Quotes

“The way that we can reduce water in the cooling tower is to increase cycle of concentration.” – Juan Meneses

"A good implementation of this project, if you can, with good and advanced monitoring and automation. You can optimize your chemical treatment by modeling the condition.” - Juan Meneses