Background
Petrochemicals are a daily necessity for industry
Oil and sludge from petrochemicals are often leaked or spilled
Negative impact Toxicity and GHG emission (incineration)
Sanitary landfill required with potential for leachate leakage
Photo : Petrochemical Industries, Source: William Cho, via Wikimedia commons
Background – spills happen
Loss of containment can lead to:
1. Spills
Typically sudden with massive volumes
2. Leaks
Typically smaller volume but can lead to large volumes over time
Problem statement
Pollution from oil spills and leaks into the environment
are toxic and persistent
• Does not degrade easily
• Permeates soil
• Contaminates groundwater
• Poisons waterways and water supply
• Destroys natural habitat
• Threatens long term health by causing cancer
Composition and nature of leaks and spills
Typical pollutants
Oil spills
- Crude Oil
- Bunker Fuel
- Refined products
Petroleum hydrocarbon spills
- Gasoline
- Diesel
Chemical spills
- Phenol
- MIBK
