Treatment and reuse of industrial effluents: case study of a thermal power plant Original Research Article

This paper presents a study of the potential of industrial wastewater reuse in Jordanʹs Al Hussein thermal power station. A comprehensive review of the processes involved, industrial waste generation and water requirements was carried out, and areas of potential improvment were identified. They include a water treatment system, blow-down system, flue gas desulfurization and finding alternative process water sources such as using sewage treatment plant effluent as make-up water. There is significant water pumped from the plant to the sewage plant and irrigation. Much of this wastewater could be treated by filtration, including reverse osmosis, and recirculated in the plant as process water. Water can very likely be conserved in the power plant by good operating practices such as preventative maintenance, good housekeeping, spill prevention, controlled storm run-off, cleaning techniques using minimum water, and a good training program to ensure program success. Since water conservation is very essential in Jordan, long-term plans should include consideration of changing the basic steam turbine technology to either the combined system or gas- and/or diesel-driven turbines at this power plant.