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Wastewater Treatment Solutions for Petroleum Refineries 

Petroleum refineries process large volumes of crude oil and generate complex wastewater streams that often contain oil, contain oil, grease, suspended solids, hydrocarbons, fuel additives, detergents, degreasers, and cleaning chemicals. If left untreated, this wastewater can contaminate the environment and lead to serious regulatory breaches. Effective and reliable wastewater treatment is essential for safe operation and environmental compliance. 

Baldwin Industrial Systems provides a complete range of high-performance wastewater treatment solutions tailored for petroleum refining facilities. Our systems are engineered to manage oily runoff, stormwater, process water, and bunded area discharges, helping refineries meet discharge requirements and support sustainable operations.

Complete Solutions for Petroleum Refineries

Refinery sites demand robust, scalable systems capable of treating high volumes of hydrocarbon-contaminated water from multiple sources across your facility. Baldwin designs and supplies comprehensive wastewater systems that treat everything from surface oils to chemically complex process water.

Oil Skimmers (Belt, Tube & Floating)

These skimmers serve as a front-line defence for capturing floating oils and hydrocarbons from tanks, bunds, and ponds before entering downstream systems. Floating skimmers with 360º access are particularly effective in open collection areas, including storage tanks and oil-water separator pits.

Clarifiers

Used to settle heavy solids, grit, and sludge from refinery wastewater using gravity. Ideal for pre-treatment of wastewater with high sediment loads or during water treatment for fuel and chemical storage.

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Systems

DAF systems are designed to remove emulsified oils, fine solids, grease, detergents, and surfactants using micro-bubble flotation. These systems are crucial for wastewater containing surfactants or detergents from refinery cleaning processes.

pH & Dosing Systems

These systems maintain chemical balance and adjust water chemistry to ensure safe discharge or further treatment. Particularly critical for neutralising acidic or alkaline wastewater from chemical refining operations, such as those involving hydrocarbons, fuel additives, and cleaning chemicals.

Filtration & Polishing Media

Final-stage filtration systems remove trace contaminants, suspended solids, and oil residues from refinery wastewater. These systems are essential for improving water quality before discharge or reuse.

Control Panels

Smart control systems automate and monitor all parts of the wastewater treatment process. Easily adjustable to suit changing site conditions and the dynamic nature of petroleum refining operations.

Custom Fabrication

No two refineries are the same. Baldwin offers fully customised systems designed for specific flow rates, available space, and site layout. Skid-mounted and modular options available.

 

What Are the Benefits of Installing the Right System?

The right wastewater treatment setup is not just about meeting compliance. It also improves site efficiency, reduces water waste, and minimises long-term operational costs. 

 

What are the Key Benefits?

  • Efficient Oil & Hydrocarbon Removal: Protects local waterways by ensuring treated water meets environmental discharge requirements for oil and fuel contaminants.
  • Scalable & Modular Design: Baldwin’s systems are designed to scale, making them suitable for refineries of all sizes, from small operations to large industrial complexes.
  • Supports Water Reuse: Treated water can be reused for washing, cooling, or dust suppression in refinery operations, reducing water consumption and operational costs.
  • Reduced Risk of Environmental Fines: Helps refineries meet EPA, local council, and regulatory discharge standards, reducing the risk of fines.
  • Simplified Maintenance & Monitoring: Automated control panels and modular units reduce manual oversight and streamline maintenance for refinery wastewater systems.
  • Protects Critical Infrastructure: Keeps contaminants out of key equipment and drainage systems, extending the lifespan of refinery assets and minimising maintenance costs.

 

 

Applications Across the Refinery

Baldwin’s systems support a wide range of wastewater treatment needs across refinery operations, from high-risk areas to complex process water treatment:

  • Petroleum Depots & Loading Bays: Captures oil from high-risk spill zones and truck fill areas.
  • Stormwater Runoff Management: Prevents hydrocarbons from entering storm drains or waterways.
  • Tank Farms & Storage Facilities: Treats water in bunded areas and containment zones.
  • Process & Washdown Areas: Separates oil, chemicals, and solids from cleaning and equipment washdown water.
  • Bund Water Treatment: Ensures water released from spill containment areas is safe for discharge.

Need a Wastewater Solution for Your Refinery?

Protect your site, reduce your environmental impact, and stay compliant with a tailored treatment system from Baldwin. Call our team today on 02 4954 0440 to discuss the best setup for your refinery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Petroleum refineries often require a multi-stage system that includes oil skimming, coalescing separation, DAF, clarifiers, pH control, and final stage filtration. The right combination depends on the type of contaminants, flow rates, and site layout.

Yes. Baldwin’s modular systems are designed to scale. Coalescing plate separators and DAF units are available in high-flow configurations suitable for large industrial sites like refineries.

In most cases, yes. Refineries deal with complex wastewater that includes acidic or alkaline substances. pH correction ensures the water is safe for discharge and protects downstream treatment equipment, especially in processes dealing with hydrocarbons, chemicals, and fuel additives.

Yes. With proper filtration and polishing, treated water can be reused for washdowns, cooling systems, or dust control. This reduces water costs and supports sustainable site operations.

Maintenance frequency depends on the system type and what you’re using it for. Baldwin offers easy-access units and remote monitoring options to simplify maintenance. We also offer servicing packages for ongoing support.