Aquatech provides a Zero Liquid Discharge System for Mississippi Power's Plant Ratcliffe Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Energy Project

Plant Ratcliffe, also known as the Kemper County Energy Project, is located near DeKalb, Mississippi. It is one of the United States' few Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) projects, originally designed with a 582 MW capacity. Utilizing Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG™) technology developed by Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, and KBR, this project presented unique water supply and environmental responsibility challenges.

Challenge 

The Kemper County Energy project faced several formidable challenges. The plant's water supply was sourced from treated wastewater from the City of Meridian, necessitating advanced treatment processes to meet the strict quality requirements for the IGCC plant's makeup water.

Additionally, the commitment to operate as a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facility presented a complex technical challenge, demanding efficient treatment and recycling of all wastewater generated within the plant to prevent any liquid discharge into the surrounding rivers, creeks, or streams.

Solution 

Southern Company Services purchased a water and wastewater system from Aquatech on an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) basis, highlighting the need for a comprehensive solution aligned with sustainability objectives while ensuring the project's successful execution.

The project scope included the design, fabrication, erection, commissioning, and operation of makeup water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities for a five-year term. Leveraging its experience in providing water treatment facilities to three out of four known IGCC plants in the USA, Aquatech assumed the role of a single supplier responsible for all aspects of the project. Aquatech deployed a range of advanced water treatment technologies, including ultrafiltration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), conventional demineralization, and thermal evaporation-based ZLD.

The components delivered included:

• Makeup systems: 2 x 380 GPM each (86 m³/hr) – UF, RO, mixed bed
• Mobile ion exchange demineralization: 700 GPM (151 m³/hr)
• Two trains Brine Concentrator: 2 x 50%, 400 GPM each (91 m³/hr)
• Two trains Forced Circulation Crystallizer: 2 x 50%, 40 GPM each (9
• m³/hr)
•  Comprehensive water analysis solutions

Result 

The successful commissioning of the complete makeup water treatment and ZLD facility at the Kemper County Energy project met stringent water quality requirements, exemplifying the potential for sustainable water management in energy-intensive industrial settings.

By effectively recycling all wastewater generated within the facility, the project aimed to achieve its ZLD objectives, ensuring that no processed water was discharged into rivers, creeks, or streams. Mississippi Power's selection of Aquatech, based on criteria including life cycle cost and environmental benefits, underscores the company's dedication to providing innovative and eco-conscious water treatment solutions.

In conclusion, the partnership between the Kemper County Energy project and Aquatech showcases the successful implementation of advanced water treatment technologies and environmentally responsible practices within the energy sector. This case study highlights the potential for sustainable solutions in addressing complex water challenges within industrial settings and emphasizes the importance of effective collaboration between technology providers and project