At a bulk storage terminal, J-P4 jet fuel is stored in large above ground storage tanks. Periodically, it is necessary to remove the condensate (water) that accumulates in the bottom of the tanks.
The condensate typically contains large amounts of J-P4, a solution that must be removed prior to its permitted discharge into a nearby river. The permanent treatment system at this terminal facility consists of an oil/water separator, a 30-inch column of OilSorb, and a column containing activated carbon for final effluent polishing.
The entire system is operated at a rate of 15 gpm whenever an unacceptable amount of condensate accumulates
The following table represents typical performance results for this system. All values are in ppm.
| Contaminant | Influent | After Organoclay | After Carbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Grease | 5.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Benzene | 69 | 29 | 0.25 |
| Toluene | 74 | 0.25 | ND |
| Xylenes | 36 | ND | ND |
By combining the OilSorb treatment with the activated carbon, the efficiency of the carbon was preserved, and the performance of the overall system was maintained.
The overall reduction in treatment costs is approximately 30% in comparison to the use of activated carbon alone.
