Removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons from industrial storm water runoff

Industrial storm water related to industrial activities is one form of industrial waste discharge of increasing concern in many countries. The objective of this research was to evaluate the pollution of industrial storm water runoff (ISWR) focusing on the concentrations of suspended solids (SS) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and to determine the suitability of the use of sand filter technology to remove TPH. The research started from the evaluation of ISWR pollution in six industrial areas (metal scrap processing industry, metal scrap collecting industry, storage area of municipal solid waste, storage area of building materials, state-owned enterprise of pubic transport, vehicle service area) and one industrial are of Vilnius city. Grab samples of ISWR were taken manually and analysed according to standard methods. The suitability of the use of sand filter technology to remove TPH was tested in lab-scale and pilot scale experiments. The results of investigation of removal efficiencies of filtration through the sand layer in lab-scale and pilot scale experiments showed that the calculated removal of TPH was higher than 94% or 63% and sufficient in both cases. According the obtained results the sand filter technology for the treatment of ISWR removing TPH and SS can be tested in a full scale experiment as a promising technology.