Latest Achievements of Biophysics in Refinery Wastewater Treatment

Refinery wastewater treatment, as one of the main environmental and refinery challenges of the ۲۱st century, requires technological innovations to increase efficiency and reduce costs. In recent years, biophysics has made a significant breakthrough in this field by providing solutions based on nanotechnology, acoustic waves, photocatalysts, and advanced membrane systems. Nanotechnology, using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metal nanoparticles such as silver and iron, enables the selective absorption of pollutants at very low concentrations. This technology, due to its high surface-to-volume ratio, increases the treatment efficiency by up to ۹۰% and reduces energy consumption. Nano-acoustic systems developed by NASA use sound waves to guide water through carbon nanotubes, separating contaminants without the need for intensive filtration. This method uses up to ۵۰% less energy than traditional methods and eliminates the need for constant rinsing. Photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO۲) are able to break down toxic organic compounds, pesticides, and even chlorine-resistant pathogens when combined with ultraviolet light. Panasonic's technology, by attaching photocatalysts to zeolites, enables the recycling and reuse of catalysts. On the other hand, biomimetic aquaporin membranes, which mimic the water channels in living cells, enable the selective transport of water molecules and are used in reverse osmosis (RO) systems. These membranes have improved treatment efficiency by up to ۳۰%. Automated variable filtration (AVF) also eliminates the need for complex backwashing processes by combining ascending and descending filters and reduces operating costs by up to ۴۰%. These achievements not only reduce environmental challenges but also enable the recovery of valuable resources from refinery wastewater.

کلیدواژه ها:

refinery wastewater treatment ، biophysics ، nanotechnology ، resource recovery ، sustainable development