Resolution of Environmental Passives in the Refinery Lujan of Cuyo of Repsol YPF S.A.

Abstract

The objective of the following work is to show the different techniques applied for the recovery of passive environmental and the convenience of the application of each one in the different cases. In the Refinery of Lujan of Cuyo of Repsol - YPF S.A. were existing environmental passives of different characteristics. One of them was consisting of pools to sky opened without waterproofing that was containing a volume of flowing material of approximately of 20000 m3 of mud contaminate with heavy and light hydrocarbons, phenol, exhausted caustics, mercury, lead and other metals in high concentrations. The other was consisting of a surface of approximately 50000 square meters of contaminated soils with hydrocarbons originating from funds of tanks and dry muds resulting of the continuous centrifugation of muds. Complying with the commitment assumed his environmental policy of remedying the passive, the Refinery beginning an investigation program to find the more convenient alternatives for each case. At the moment of considering the alternatives of solution they have had into account technical, environmental and economic aspects. After analyzing the various existing technologies was opted for using two types of different treatments as compared to the different realities that was presenting each case. In the first case was opted for the stabilization technique that was developed in the area of the refinery, in base to tests accomplished at plant level pilot. Surpassed this stage were begun the tests to industrial scale what permitted to solve the problem in a period of 6 months. In the second case was opted for the use of bioremediation techniques: landfarming and aerated accumulation. These techniques were developed along with the National University of Cuyo. In either cases it is accomplished a monitoring of the results with the University and the organs of environmental control, being obtained successful results, with the recovery of the discussed soil.