Application of Jet Aeration in PTA Wastewater Treatment Project

I. Project Overview

The wastewater from the production unit of the PTA project at Chongqing Pengwei Petrochemical Co., Ltd. is primarily generated by the off-gas treatment system. Main sources include:

1. Condensate from the oxidation off-gas solvent dehydration column
2. Drainage from the RTO oxidation off-gas treatment system
3. Drainage from the PTA filtration system scrubber
4. Wastewater and cleaning water from the candle filter exhaust scrubber

These wastewaters contain no hard-to-biodegrade TA. The main pollutants are acetic acid, methyl acetate, methanol, and similar compounds. Key characteristics of this wastewater are: large flow volume, high concentration, and significant fluctuations in both flow and quality.

II. Jet Aerator Design & Selection Parameters

1. Design average treatment capacity: 4,800m³/d; peak capacity: 6,000 m³/d

2. Design influent quality and discharge standards — see Table 1

Table 1 — Design Influent Quality and Discharge Standards (mg/L)

Parameter	CODcr	PH
Influent	2500	2-13
Discharge standard	≤60	6-9

3. Treatment process flow: The project handles two wastewater streams of different characteristics.

4. Aerobic tank configuration: Dimensions 73 m (L) × 28 m (W) × 8 m (H); two groups, each divided into two cells

5. Aeration method: GW blower-assisted jet aeration (blower-assisted or self-priming mode may be selected in actual operation depending on site conditions)

III. Jet Aerator Selection

Based on design parameters and jet aerator performance data, GWB jet aerators were selected. Key specifications:

1.Jet aerator model & quantity: GW1200 × 48 units
2.Efficiency-enhancing nozzles: N70 × 192 units
3.Supporting pumps: Flow 600 m³/h, head 12 m, installed power 30 kW × 24 units
4. Blowers: Air flow 240 m³/min, pressure 98 kPa, installed power 400 kW × 5 units (2 operating + 3 standby)

IV. Actual Influent & Effluent Quality

Since commissioning with the GW blower-assisted jet aeration system, the plant has achieved excellent operational results. Actual treatment volume is approximately 5,500 m³/d, and influent/effluent quality meets design standards — see Table 2.

Table 2 — Actual Influent/Effluent Quality & Treatment Results (mg/L)

Parameter	CODcr	PH
Influent	5000-6000	2-13
Effluent	≤60	6-9

V. Advantages of the Jet Aeration System

Comparing design parameters with actual operating results, the GW blower-assisted jet aeration system offers the following advantages:

1. Strong oxygen transfer capacity — stable effluent quality with consistent compliance
2. Easy installation and maintenance — pumps installed outside the tank for convenient servicing
3. Low noise and energy consumption — actual energy use well below design value
4. Simple piping with no clogging — straightforward operation and management
5. Long-term stable performance — jet aerators and efficiency nozzles require no routine maintenance, significantly reducing O&M costs
6. High energy efficiency — only 1.05 kWh per kg COD removed

Conclusion

The PTA project wastewater at Chongqing Pengwei Petrochemical is characterized by large flow volume, high concentration, and significant quality fluctuations, placing high demands on aeration system performance, operational stability, and maintainability. This project adopted the GW blower-assisted jet aeration system in the aerobic tank, with 48 GWB jet aerator units and supporting pump and blower systems, achieving stable degradation of pollutants such as acetic acid, methyl acetate, and methanol.

Operational results confirm that under influent CODcr of 5,000–6,000 mg/L and a treatment volume of approximately 5,500 m³/d, effluent CODcr is consistently ≤60 mg/L with pH maintained at 6–9, fully meeting discharge standards. The system delivers strong oxygen transfer, stable effluent quality, easy installation and maintenance, low noise, energy consumption below design values, clog-free operation, and long-term maintenance-free performance. With an energy consumption of only 1.05 kWh per kg COD removed, the system demonstrates excellent economic performance.

This project validates the applicability and reliability of jet aeration technology for large-scale PTA chemical wastewater treatment, providing a proven engineering reference for aeration process selection in similar high-concentration, high-flow wastewater projects.

Contact Information

Company Website: https://cd-greenwater.com
Technical Contact Number: 028-85130135
Customer Service Contact Number: 18515915124
Contact Email: jane1984@cd-greenwater.com
Address: No. 191, Section 1, Changcheng Road, Xihanggang, Shuangliu District, Chengdu