Minimization of environmental risk by optimization of the end-of-pipe processes

Purpose: of the paper has been an attainment of the thesis that efficient minimization of environmental risk of processes can be realised not only by usage of new technologies creating no contaminants, but also by - fulfilling cleaner production requirements - the ‘end-off-pipe’ solutions. Design/methodology/approach: used for the analysis has covered optimization of hydrocarbon degradation as the ‘end-of-pipe’ process by determination of the efficiency of hydrocarbons chemical and biological degradation and evaluation of the effect of the initial content of the hydrogen peroxide on alkanes biodegradation. Findings: of analysis are as follows: both chemical and biological oxidation is a straight forward method for decreasing hydrocarbon concentration in the production wastewater, so - the possibility of optimization of the ‘end-of-pipe’ process. Practical implications: can be applied in case of any organisation, which, because of financial or technological reasons, minimizes the concentration of hydrocarbons draining off to the environment by the ‘end-off-pipe’ technologies. Originality/value: of the presented paper has been created by confirmation that application of the best available technologies is not the only way for efficient fulfilling legal requirements of integrated pollution prevention and control directive and cleaner production strategy assumptions.