EPC-EqTech – an innovative turnkey solution to process spent caustic created in the Oil&Gas industry at low-cost and that meets wastewater regulations

Spent caustic is a highly toxic by-product created in the oil and petrochemical refining industries that is highly challenging toprocess. Modern solutions are either unable to meet wastewater treatment regulations or are cost prohibitive.

This hasresulted in large stockpiles of this hazardous waste now building at refineries with no accessible way to dispose of it.Since 2016 Cetaqua and Suez have been collaborating in development of an innovative solution: “EPC-EqTech” – a plantthat combines three core technologies: Electro Coagulation (EC), Electro Oxidation (EO) and Electroperoxi-coagulation(EPC) to create a novel solution capable of processing spent caustic at low-cost and within regulatory parameters.

JoiningCetaqua and Suez, the FTI project consortium includes Tüpraş as pilot trial lead end-user and DEKRA as materialsdevelopment and safety regulations partner.EPC-EqTech is poised to solve this industry-wide challenge and save our target market an estimated 2,4 bnEUR comparedto modern alternatives by processing spent caustic on-site with a highly cost-effective and efficient technology.Among others, EPC-EqTech provides its users the following benefits:- Environmentally compatible application;- Hard COD removal;- Highly-effective;- Very low CAPEX and OPEX compared to competitors with better process control;- Meets all known regulatory standards;- In-situ processing that is simple to operate;- Scalable to meet refinery demands;- High pollutant removal efficiencies at acidic medium (optimal pH range) with no H2O2 accumulation.To bring EPC-EqTech to market, our European consortium provides the required technical expertise and commercialposition to:1) Finalise development of our complete solution;2) Complete TRL7 trials with spent caustic streams;3) Prepare for commercial integration with all of the tools required for success.