RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – An upgrade to oil giant Saudi Aramco's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) technology at the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter has been completed.
Using Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology provided by ACWA Emirates, the new 750 m3/day WWTP project replaces an original plant built by the company in 1997.
Facing remote and challenging desert conditions of the Empty Quarter, the plant is said to be delivering 99% water recovery with high quality effluent for use in irrigation, in line with Aramco’s strict environmental quality standards.
Under the contract ACWA has been responsible for all aspects of design, engineering, installation and commissioning for the wastewater plant.
This included a six month operation and maintenance package to provide assistance and training.
The 20 month project was handed over in December 2016.
Key components of the supplied plant include inlet pre-treatment headworks incorporating screens, grit and FOG removal, evaporation ponds with feed and return pump chambers, anoxic tanks, aeration tanks, plus the Membrane Bio-reactor tank with air blowers, self-cleaning jet filters and all controls and instrumentation.
ACWA said it re-used plant elements where possible. Examples include an existing aeration tank has been upgraded and modified to serve as a balance tank and the existing sludge drying beds have also been retained.
Elsewhere in the region, the company provided the 76,000 m3/day Al Ansab MBR plant in Oman.
###
Read more
ACWA Services partners with Ostara to offer phosphorus recovery technology to the UK
Jersey Water to reduce operating costs after £6m desalination upgrade
