Reuse of Spent Catalysts from Oil Refinery as Compost Addition

Summary

The BP Oil Refinery in Kwinana produces spent catalysts from its Catalytic Polymerisation Unit (CPU). The catalyst is a solid phosphoric acid on a silica base. The phosphorous content of the spent catalysts is leached out at a composting facility (Oakford Organics) and used as compost addition.

Industry

Industry Sector	Specific Industry
Petroleum sector	Oil refinery
Agricultural sector	Composting facility

Region

Kwinana Industrial Area, Kwinana, ( Perth , Western Australia ).

Applied Technologies

• Phosphoric acid leaching

Triple Bottom Line Aspects (direct at operational level)

Economic	Operational costs of composting facility Transportation costs
Environment	Less catalysts being landfilled Improved soil condition
Social	Employment

Additional Comments

None.

References

• van Beers, D, Bossilkov, A and van Berkel, R (2005) “Capturing Regional Synergies in the Kwinana Industrial Area – 2005 Status Report”, CSRP Report (for Project 3B1), August 2005

Last Update

18 January 2007