Petroleum waste biorefinery: A way towards circular economy

Abstract

Abstract The petroleum industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world owing to their increasing energy needs. Petroleum refinery produces a large number of waste products like volatile organic compounds, oily sludge, wastewater, heavy metals, waste catalyst, etc. The major ecological challenge for this refinery process is to manage the enormous amount of waste considering the nature of the waste and the changing strict environmental regulations. Disposal and spillage of petroleum products in the underground storage sites have also posed significant risks to groundwater sources in many oil-contaminated areas. This chapter provides comprehensive information about recent developments, advancements, barriers associated, and major challenges associated with the process control of petroleum waste management. Circularizing the economy in the petroleum waste biorefinery model for the production of various products has been discussed. Finally, this chapter also highlights the challenges and perspectives in the area of a petroleum refinery to comply with resource recovery and waste management practices.