Page 45 - QATALUM SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2013

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT | 2013 45 Water both fresh water and seawater are used at various stages in the production process. Qatalum implements a number of techniques and guidelines that allow for more effcient water consumption; some of these practices include regular treatment and reuse of water on-site and the implementation of conservation measures and technologies. Qatalum’s seawater consumption is mainly used as non-contact cooling water and is cooled before being returned to the sea. Indicator 2013 Fresh water used (from purchased) 398,770 Fresh water used (from company generated) na non-contact cooling water 117,500,000 Water discharged (to sea) 117,500,000 Water discharged (other than sea) 120,860 Water recycled or reused 157,502 Pitch Fume Treatment in the Paste Plant In the carbon plant, treating emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAh) is a priority. The introduction of paste-mixer coolers volatile compounds emission have increased. Qatalum’s Pitch Fume Treatment in the Paste Plant has set a new performance benchmark in the Gulf. The pitch fume treatment process optimises the capture and destruction effciency while cutting natural gas consumption - and the associated carbon footprint - dramatically. To learn more about the technologies that make this possible, go to Qatalum’s website. Blowdown some of the fresh water is used for the cooling towers and released as blowdown water from the boilers. When the wastewater treatment plant is working correctly, 100% of this water is recovered, treated, and used for on-site irrigation. the majority of the sea water is used for the cooling towers. once used, the seawater is treated to meet the ministry of environment’s specifcations for quality and temperature, and is then returned to the sea. Indicator 2013 3 Amount of blowdown water (m ) 105,564 Percentage used for irrigation 95% Percentage transported off-site 5%