Belgian Refining Corporation

A few months after the initial discussions between BRC and BESIX Sanotec, an initial proposal featuring an innovative and reliable technical approach was handed over to BRC by our team.

BESIX Sanotec completed a pilot testing campaign of 6 months to validate this innovative approach and win over the project. In 2005, the pilot testing campaign ended successfully, confirming that the technical approach selected by BESIX Sanotec not only removed pollutants as specified, but also further enhanced the purity of effluent wastewater at reduced operational costs for BRC. This successful demonstration convinced BRC to award a detailed engineering contract to the combination of Vanhout and BESIX Sanotec. The latter took care of the overall design of the plant (process and electro-mechanical design, layout, ensuring the plant would work according to the required performances) and Vanhout took care of the civil and structural design, including foundations. This led in turn to a “turnkey” construction contract in mid-April 2007 for the partnership BESIX Sanotec/Vanhout.

The construction of the plant developed BESIX Sanotec’s expertise in the petrochemical sector, helping the Belgian Refinery Company to treat industrial effluent, reduce overall costs and improve effluent reliability.

In order to improve the equalization of the wastewater quality (concerning its quantity and the composition), a new buffer basin, with an active coal odor unit, was required.

In the first phase of biological treatment, the organic pollution is eliminated largely. The active sludge system separates the sludge from the effluent by means of a new DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation). The next phase allows nitrogen compounds to be eliminated in a biological way. The sludge is separated from the effluent by a decanter but if sludge is still present in the effluent water, it is separated by two continuous sand filters. Afterwards, the effluent is treated in an ultra-filtration unit for eliminating the floating components in order to meet the required regulations. The excess biological sludge is then treated in a sludge buffer and dewatered through a centrifuge.

In this plant Vanhout took care of the construction of the foundations and civil structures, together with the technical buildings and control room. This project was also supported by the QHSE department of Vanhout.