409 A Western Refinery's Journey to Improved Water Efficiency
Release Date: 02/28/2025
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"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
“About the teamwork, foster collaboration and communication with the customer are key component of that and focus on sustainability.” - Juan Meneses
Connect with Juan Meneses
Phone: 337.309.9619
Email: [email protected]
Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water
LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
IWC (International Water Conference)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability
164 The One With Chris McChesney
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What effect will the water temperature have on softener backwash during regeneration?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
