Stripping steam and wash water in various refining operations is condensed and removed from overhead condensate accumulators or product separators. This water contains impurities most notably sulfur compounds and ammonia. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia is removed in the sour water stripper.
By varying the pH of the feed solution, hydrogen sulfide may be removed for amine treatment and ammonia may be removed for reuse or neutralization in separate strippers. Once stripped of contaminants, water is either reused for desalter water or discharged directly to waste water treatment facilities.