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The design of a zero-effluent discharge system for Westcoast Energy inc.’s Fort Nelson Gas Plant Bechtold, Jean-Philippe

Abstract

This project was initiated by Westcoast Energy Inc. (Westcoast) to examine the feasibility of transforming their Fort Nelson Gas Plant (FNGP) into a zero-effluent discharge (ZED) facility. Water flow and water chemistry data were collected at the plant. The resulting data set was used to identify water leaks in the existing distribution network, as well as to identify methods of optimizing water use at this facility. Designs for implementing a Z ED protocol at the FNGP were then developed and subsequently evaluated with a computer simulator. A total of 18 Z E D models were constructed using reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, nanofilters and other Z ED technology. The final disposal mechanism in 10 of the 18 scenarios was a brine concentrator - spray dryer (BCS) assembly, which reduced all remaining wastewater into a solid waste. In the other 8 Z ED designs, final concentrates were disposed of in a deep well. The best deep well configuration was a 1-stage RO filter; the necessary equipment, excluding the deep well, would cost an estimated $101 700 US dollars. The best BCS scenarios were a 1-stage R O and a BCS-only models; they would cost around $1.61 and $1.79 million US dollars, respectively. A step by step approach by which the FNGP can be transformed into a Z ED facility is detailed in Chapter 8.0 of this report. While it is possible to implement a Z ED program at the FNGP, there are consequences to this course of action which need to be considered. The most important is final waste management. Regardless of whether a deep well or a BCS unit is used, either system will have to be built and operated in such a way that the final waste products produced by the Z ED treatment train do not migrate off-site, as this action would violate the Z ED principle. Once a Z E D program is initiated, wastewater and/or waste solids produced at the FNGP will no longer disappear with the FNR; they will remain on-site indefinitely.

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