QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What are the advantages of the Petrozyme Process©?

  • Eliminates hazardous nature of refinery wastes
  • Complies with EPA environmental regulations
  • Treats wastes on-site as produced - large storage tanks not required
  • Accommodates various sludge types
  • Integrates easily into refinery wastewater operations
  • Reduces de-watering costs
  • Low operating costs
  • Can be operated by refinery personnel

How does the Petrozyme Process© provide value?

  • To refiners who filter press, the Petrozyme Process© reduces filter press time by 50%
  • To refiners who process sludge through the coker, the Petrozyme Process© reduces free oil in sludge for the coker quench cycle
  • To refiners who de-water and send the oily solids offsite for disposal in RCRA approved sites, the Petrozyme Process© reduces de-watering costs and waste volume for transport/disposal
  • To refiners who send listed sludge offsite, the Petrozyme Process© reduces transportation and disposal costs and offsite liability and eliminates manifesting as the material is non-hazardous

How do I know the Petrozyme Process© will work on my wastes?

We have successfully processed at full, pilot and laboratory scale, API separator and other K and F wastes from refineries in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, and the Middle East. We are prepared to offer a demonstration of the technology on your waste material on your premises or at our facilities.

How is Petrozyme Process© compliant with environmental regulations?

In the U.S. a RCRA or hazardous waste treatment permit is not required. The Petrozyme Process© is often considered an extension of the waste water treatment facility. Environmental regulators including the U.S.EPA encourage on-site treatment. The Petrozyme Process© produces a residual that meets EPA delisting criteria.

What about VOC emissions to the atmosphere?

The Petrozyme Process© complies with environmental regulations with respect to release of volatiles using activated carbon sorption, VOC recycling, thermal oxidation or other accepted control methods.

What are the further processing and disposal options for Petrozyme Process© treated material?

  • Coker
  • Dewater and dispose in landfill
  • Land disposal (landfarm)

 

What sort of on-going support can I expect from the company?

All our personnel are dedicated to customer service. We can operate the Petrozyme Process©, work with local service providers or train your own personnel. On-going process monitoring is provided.

What cost savings can I expect by integrating the Petrozyme Process© technology into my operation?

This depends on your current situation. If you are sending hazardous waste material long distances and have high transport costs, the potential savings are significant. The Petrozyme Process© reduces the volumes requiring transport and reduces disposal costs. Disposal in non-hazardous landfills are typically in the $20-$65/ton range and non-hazardous landfills are more numerous and usually much closer to refineries than cement kilns, thermal desorbers and incinerators.

Look, I've heard of this bioreactor approach before and it has not worked. Why are you different?

Our system is in commercial operation. It does work! The Petrozyme's team is skilled in the art of industrial fermentation and has worked out the appropriate bioreactor operating conditions to enable indigenous bacterial populations to efficiently consume waste hydrocarbons in a remarkably short period of time (days).

What impact would your treated material have on my waste water treatment plant?

The material discharged to the waste water treatment plant will have no adverse effect. In many cases, it may be beneficial.

Is the Petrozyme Process© an enzyme process?

It is more than an enzyme process. Our mixed bacterial culture utilizes waste hydrocarbons as an energy food source. In the course of feeding, the bacteria produce enzymes, which are used in their natural metabolic pathways for extracting energy from the hydrocarbon molecules.

What are the advantages of working with Petrozyme's people?

Our technical team of industrial microbiologists, environmental, and process engineers is:

  • Adaptive to the local regulatory climate
  • Focused on serving the oil industry
  • Committed to reducing waste treatment costs