Fluid emulsion purification processes using microporous membranes having filtration and adsorption properties

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of separating a fluid emulsion stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an aqueous stream, by contacting the stream with a microporous membrane to yield a hydrocarbon product stream and an aqueous product stream. The membrane comprises a substantially hydrophobic, polymeric matrix, and substantially hydrophilic, finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble filler distributed throughout the matrix. The polymeric matrix has a mean pore size less than 1.0 micron, and the purities of the product streams are independent of the flux rate of the aqueous product stream and the pore size of the membrane.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 599,221, filed August 30, 2012, entitled "Microporous Materials Having Filtration and Adsorption Properties and Their Use in Fluid Purification Methods," the full text of which is incorporated herein by reference. is incorporated herein, and this U.S. patent application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 555,500, filed November 4, 2011. field of invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method for the purification of fluid emulsions using microporous materials having filtration and adsorption properties. Background of the invention [0004] According to the Department of Energy, 21 billion gallons of water are by-produced each year from oil and gas wells in the United States. Natural "oil" from a well is actually a multiphase fluid of oil / water / gas. These three fluids are generally found ...

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Problems solved by technology

[0008] Working on the seabed, as mentioned above, is clearly not commercially available for large volume water storage

Separation is ineffective: after subsea separation, a significant amount of water-in-oil emulsion remains in solution, resulting in inefficient separation and ultimately lower hydrocarbon recovery

More critically, due to the lack of sufficient residence time, the high oil-in-water concentration (in the range of 5%) will lead to

It follows that the disposal area eventually clogs and becomes ineffective for further disposal

Additionally, the oil in water pumped into the disposal area is lost product and revenue for the operating company and lost royalties for the federal government

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