IAZI in Turnaround Phase 1: Emptying and cleaning.

Recently, Circle Wastewater Services began a Turnaround (TA) of the Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant, also known as the “IAZI. This biological treatment plant treats process water from more than 60 different plants at Chemelot. In addition, the IAZI also treats sewage from the buildings on the site, as well as rainwater and cooling water.

The IAZI consists of three plants, each of which undergoes major maintenance once every 15 years. During a TA, one of the plants is shut down so that we can thoroughly inspect, maintain and prepare it for the future. In this way, we ensure safe and sustainable operation for the next 15 years.

Why is this turnaround necessary?

  • Conduct regulatory inspections and audits
  • Complying with permits and environmental regulations
  • Preventive maintenance and repairs
  • Extending the life span
  • Implementation of stopgap projects

How does emptying and cleaning work?

We have now started phase 1: emptying and cleaning the plant. This is an essential part of being able to perform safe and efficient maintenance later. The emptying and cleaning is done in three steps:

  1. Sand removal: during operation, a dredging boat was used to remove almost all the sand from the basins.
  2. Sludge removal: the activated sludge (the biology that purifies the water) was pumped over to the other two treatment lines in operation so that we can continue to purify Chemelot’s water. After the biology was pumped over, the remaining sediment was removed and dewatered so that it could be disposed of externally as a solid.
  3. Fine cleaning: finally, all installation parts were thoroughly cleaned.

What does this mean for the operation?

To carry out the work safely, including safe decommissioning, implementation and start-up, the plant will be out of service for a total of about six weeks. Thanks to proper preparation and additional measures, we can continue to run the rest of the process during this period without any standard violations.

Strong together

We work with many partners for the implementation: Sitech as the main contractor and the firms Altrad, Air Liquide, Auma, Kurstjens, Mourik, BAM, Haskoning, TSA, Mammoet, Strukton, SF-Ontime, Cuijpers, L’Ortye, Meex, Boels, United Rentals and Spie. With this broad cooperation, we ensure that everything goes according to plan and safely. Thanks to everyone who is working to make this phase a success!