Petroleum Hydrocarbon Waste & Sludge – Anaerobic Co-Digestion Assessment
Client:
ADNOC / BeAAT
Partner:
Masdar Institute
Industrial technical assessment of anaerobic co-digestion as a biological treatment and energy recovery pathway for petroleum hydrocarbon waste and wastewater treatment sludge.
Project Overview
The project evaluated the technical feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion for treating complex petroleum-contaminated waste streams in combination with wastewater treatment sludge. The work focused on biological treatability, process stability, toxicity thresholds, optimal blending ratios, and the potential for biogas recovery.
Our Role
- Served as Specialized Industrial Consultant.
- Conducted toxicity and inhibition assessments on anaerobic microorganisms.
- Evaluated the biological treatability of petroleum hydrocarbon waste.
- Operated and monitored specialized anaerobic reactors.
- Determined optimal waste-to-sludge blending ratios and process stability conditions.
- Assessed biogas generation and energy recovery potential.
- Developed technical guidance for the safe co-digestion of hazardous organic waste streams.
- Developed a conceptual framework for integrating biological treatment into oil and gas waste management operations.
Key Impact
- Demonstrated the feasibility of anaerobic treatment for petroleum-contaminated waste.
- Established toxicity thresholds and suitable blending conditions for stable digestion.
- Identified anaerobic co-digestion as a potential treatment and energy recovery pathway.
- Supported the development of safer and more resource-efficient approaches to industrial waste management.