"Water is a limited resource, and in this refinery, every gallon saved is a win for sustainability." – Juan Meneses

Water is a critical resource in industrial operations, and improving efficiency is a top priority for many companies. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, discusses how a Western refinery optimized its water footprint using advanced treatment technologies. 

This episode is packed with insights on water conservation strategies, sustainability goals, and the role of advanced monitoring technologies like 3D TRASAR in maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. 

Key Topics Covered: 

The Challenges of Water Usage in Refineries 

This refinery faced rising water costs and increasing sustainability pressures. With water sourced from the city, costs were projected to rise by 5% annually, with wastewater discharge costs climbing even faster. Finding ways to reduce water consumption while maintaining efficiency was a top priority. 

Optimizing Cooling Towers for Maximum Water Efficiency 

Cooling towers presented a key opportunity for conservation. The team aimed to increase cycles of concentration to reduce water waste without compromising system integrity. By using 3D TRASAR technology, they monitored real-time conditions, allowing precise adjustments to prevent scaling and corrosion. 

Implementing Smart Water Treatment Strategies 

To sustain higher cycles, the refinery introduced dual cathodic inhibitors and high-charge polymers, enhancing corrosion and scale control. pH adjustments ensured effective biocide performance while maintaining system reliability. This strategic shift allowed for significant reductions in water and chemical use. 

Results and Lessons Learned 

By increasing cycles from 5.5 to 9.3, the refinery saved 52 million gallons of water annually while cutting wastewater discharge and chemical consumption. The biggest takeaway? Real-time monitoring and proactive pH control are essential for maintaining efficiency at higher cycles. 

Best Practices for Industrial Water Optimization 

Collaboration between plant operators and water treatment professionals is key. Regular monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and advanced automation tools can help refineries maximize efficiency while meeting sustainability goals.

Water conservation is good for business and the environment. Could your facility save millions of gallons? Explore advanced water treatment strategies today. Learn more at ScalingUpH2O.com.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! 

Timestamps  

02:14 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals  

08:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald 

10:20 – Interview with returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water about Western Refinery Water Efficiency  

11:06 – The biggest water challenges faced by the refinery 

12:11 – Strategies for optimizing water footprint and sustainability goals 

14:07 – How 3D TRASAR and modeling software improve water efficiency 

24:50 – Water savings achieved: 52 million gallons saved 

29:21 – Best practices for communicating water optimization goals 

Quotes 

“The way that we can reduce water in the cooling tower is to increase cycle of concentration.” – Juan Meneses

"A good implementation of this project, if you can, with good and advanced monitoring and automation. You can optimize your chemical treatment by modeling the condition.” - Juan Meneses

“About the teamwork, foster collaboration and communication with the customer are key component of that and focus on sustainability.” - Juan Meneses

 

Connect with Juan Meneses 

Phone: 337.309.9619 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water 

LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn 

Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide 

 

Guest Resources Mentioned  

CH 2029 Western Refinery Optimizes Water Footprint Using 3D Trasar Technology for Cooling Modeling Tools paper 

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler  

Good Profit: How Creating Value for Others Built One Of The World’s Most Successful Company by Charles Koch 

The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Sean Covey (Author), Chris McChesney (Author), Jim Huling (Author)   

 

Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned 

AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  

IWC (International Water Conference)     

Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses 

Submit a Show Idea 

The Rising Tide Mastermind  

405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability

164 The One With Chris McChesney 

 

Water You Know with James McDonald 

Question: What effect will the water temperature have on softener backwash during regeneration? 

 

2025 Events for Water Professionals 

Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.