Division BAT 21: In order to prevent or reduce the amount of organic compounds and waste water discharged to waste water treatment, BAT is to maximise the recovery of hydrocarbons from the quench water of the primary fractionation stage and reuse the quench water in the dilution steam generation system.

Description:

The technique consists of ensuring an effective separation of organic and aqueous phases. The recovered hydrocarbons are recycled to the cracker or used as raw materials in other chemical processes. Organic recovery can be enhanced, e.g. through the use of steam or gas stripping, or the use of a reboiler. Treated quench water is reused within the dilution steam generation system. A quench water purge stream is discharged to downstream final waste water treatment to prevent the build-up of salts in the system.