One of the largest Russian oil companies Bashneft has selected General Electric’s membrane reactor (ZeeWeed), its reverse osmosis technology, and its electrodialysis reversal mechanism for treating the wastewater coming out of the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim refinery. The technology also will be utilized at other petroleum processing assets of Bashneft within Ufa’s northern industrial block.

From April to July 2013, technical service specialists from Bashneft and General Electric, in association with the researchers from the Institute of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, conducted a series of experiments aimed at testing the new technologies. As a result of the pilot program, Bashneft concluded that General Electric’s technologies were well-suited for its refineries and in conformance to the stringent ecological standards recently adopted in Russia.

Bashneft also made General Electric its contractor for engineering the wastewater treatment system and for bringing it into operation.

According to Alexander Korsik, who serves as the president of Bashneft Oil Processing, the company has narrowed its concentration on environmental control and quality. Mr. Korsik added that Bashneft’s refining complexes will have one of the most innovative water treatment facilities in Russia. The primary concern of company executives and environmentalists is making the water of the Belaya River cleaner.

In carrying out the project, General Electric will utilize the ZeeWeed reactor, electrodialysis, reverse osmosis, as well as ion exchange processes to create an innovative water purification solution that will allow for water re-circulation, all the while minimizing water intake requirements.

One noteworthy aspect of the purification technology that General Electric intends to implement is that it does not rely on either primary clarifying tanks or secondary clarifiers. As such, when the wastewater exits the aeration tanks, the slop gets separated from water as the contaminated suspension passes through the Zee-Weed 500 membrane. Solid waste removal is accomplished with the use of disk stack centrifuges. This arrangement allows for the system to be installed in a tight, compact space. The probability of environmental contamination is also substantially reduced.

According to Heiner Markhoff, who serves as the president of General Electric Power and Water, the company is glad to present its cutting-edge solutions to Bashneft. Analysts have also suggested that Bashneft’s example can catch on in Russia among other companies as well. Mr. Markhoff is optimistic about the sustainable development of the oil refining and production sectors in Russia.