The Wastewater Management of Zarand Thermal Power Plant: Assessment of the Wastewater Treatment Methods, Cost Analysis, and Suggesting the Best Method

Industry has a major role in the pollution of water supplies as well as the highest potential for reducing the consumption and implementing water and wastewater management plans. The aim of this study was to identify the best treatment method for the wastewater of Zarand thermal power plant, so that it can be implemented technically and economically and reused with least adverse environmental effects.
In this study, the available data about the current status of the region was collected from the relevant organizations. Then, the status of Zarand thermal power plant in terms of the level of produced energy, production process, the type of chemicals and fuel used, the volume of water consumed and sources of water supply, the quantitative and qualitative estimation of the effluent, and the current status of collecting and discharging it were evaluated and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.
The results show that water cooling units produced the highest level of wastewater in Zarand thermal power plant. Considering the cost analysis, and the advantages and disadvantages of the wastewater treatment systems, the biological sulphate removal system using activated carbon is recommended for the wastewater treatment of Zarand thermal power plant.
The results show that environmental changes resulted from discharging the wastewater of Zarand thermal power plant into the environment can be prevented by an appropriate management, and the wastewater can be reused in the best way.