Integrated Boron Removal and Flocculation for Fracturing Wastewater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating fracturing flowback liquid in oil or gas fields often require separate processes for boron removal and flocculation, leading to long process flows and high costs, with boron removal typically achieved through adsorption and reverse osmosis.
Innovation Solution
An integrated boron removal and flocculation process is developed, which involves adjusting the pH of the fracturing flowback liquid to 8.5-10.0, adding an oxidant for a reaction, followed by the addition of a barium salt to form a precipitate that settles and removes boron and suspended solids through filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate processes for boron removal and flocculation are used, then boron removal efficiency can be improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines boron removal and flocculation into a single integrated process by adding barium chloride to the fracturing flowback liquid. The barium ions simultaneously remove boron through precipitation (forming barium borate) and act as a flocculant to settle suspended solids and oil, thereby eliminating the need for separate treatment processes while maintaining high boron removal efficiency of 80% or more
2Manufacturing precision
If separate processes for boron removal and flocculation are used, then boron removal efficiency can be improved, but treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated process uses barium chloride as a dual-function reagent that simultaneously achieves boron removal and flocculation, reducing the total quantity of chemicals required compared to separate processes. This consolidation eliminates redundant treatment steps and reduces overall treatment costs while maintaining boron removal efficiency of 80% or more
Solution Approach 2:
Barium chloride serves multiple functions in the treatment process: it removes boron through precipitation, acts as a flocculant for suspended solids, and promotes oil separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized reagents and processes, thereby lowering treatment costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-linking agent containing boron remains in flowback liquid, then reuse of flowback fluid is possible, but pipeline blockage and cross-linking control problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the flowback liquid by adjusting pH to alkaline conditions (pH 8.5-10.0) before adding barium chloride. This parameter change optimizes the precipitation of barium borate and enhances the flocculation process, effectively removing boron to levels below 5.0 mg/L and preventing pipeline blockage and cross-linking control problems while maintaining fluid reusability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated process achieves simultaneous boron removal and flocculation, reducing boron content by 80% or more and lowering suspended solids and oil content to less than 5.0 mg/L, thereby improving the stability and reusability of the fracturing flowback liquid.
Implementation Method 1
adding an oxidant to the flowback liquid after pH adjustment to carry out a reaction
Implementation Method 2
adding a barium salt to the reaction mixture resulting from the reaction to carry out a further reaction to form a precipitate
Implementation Method 3
allowing the reaction mixture resulting from the preceding step to stand still and settle before filtration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated boron removal and flocculation process for treating fracturing wastewater is disclosed. The process comprises: adjusting the pH of the fracturing flowback liquid to be treated to become alkaline and adding thereto an oxidant to carry out a reaction for a certain time period, so that the state of the boron present in the liquid is changed; and then adding a barium salt to the resulting reaction mixture to carry out a further reaction between the barium salt and the boron in the changed state to produce a precipitate. The stability of the flowback liquid is deteriorated by the addition of the oxidant. Suspended solids in the flowback liquid can be removed through adsorption, wrapping, and then settling by the action of the precipitate (a barium salt). The process integrates boron removal and flocculation and enables a boron removal rate of 80% or greater. An integrated boron removal and flocculation process for treating fracturing wastewater is disclosed. The process comprises: adjusting the pH of the fracturing flowback liquid to be treated to become alkaline and adding thereto an oxidant to carry out a reaction for a certain time period, so that the state of the boron present in the liquid is changed; and then adding a barium salt to the resulting reaction mixture to carry out a further reaction between the barium salt and the boron in the changed state to produce a precipitate. The stability of the flowback liquid is deteriorated by the addition of the oxidant. Suspended solids in the flowback liquid can be removed through adsorption, wrapping, and then settling by the action of the precipitate (a barium salt). The process integrates boron removal and flocculation and enables a boron removal rate of 80% or greater.