Cyclonic Deoiler and Filter for Produced Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Produced water from oil and gas production operations contains high concentrations of hydrocarbons and suspended solids, requiring effective treatment to reduce contamination levels before reuse or discharge.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a cyclonic deoiler to separate oil and water phases, followed by a filtration system to remove solids, effectively reducing hydrocarbon concentrations in the treated water stream to less than 0.01% by weight, and mounting the cyclonic deoiler and filter system on a mobile platform for increased flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatment methods are used for produced water, then hydrocarbon removal is achieved, but the process is complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is divided into two distinct stages: (1) cyclonic deoiling to separate free oil and emulsified hydrocarbons, and (2) filtration to remove suspended solids. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A cyclonic deoiler serves as an intermediary device between the produced water source and the filtration system. It pre-treats the water by removing the majority of hydrocarbons before the water enters the filter, thereby protecting the filter from rapid clogging and extending its operational life.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If produced water is treated to meet discharge standards, then environmental compliance is achieved, but treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic deoiler operates using the natural energy of the produced water flow itself, creating centrifugal force through rotational motion without requiring external power input for the separation process. This self-service mechanism significantly reduces operational costs while achieving effective hydrocarbon removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical treatment systems with a combination of cyclonic separation and simple filtration. The cyclonic deoiler uses fluid dynamics and centrifugal force rather than complex mechanical moving parts, reducing maintenance requirements and operational costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If produced water is treated on-site, then operational flexibility is improved, but equipment installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic deoiler and filtration system are combined into an integrated treatment train that can be deployed as a single modular unit on-site. This merging of functions allows flexible deployment at various locations in the produced water management system while simplifying installation through standardized connections and compact design.
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
The process achieves significant reduction in hydrocarbon and suspended solid concentrations, producing a treated water stream that can be recycled, reused, or disposed of safely, thereby addressing environmental and operational challenges associated with produced water management.
Implementation Method 1
The processes comprise feeding the separated water stream to a compact cyclonic bulk oil water separator, thereby forming a water phase and an oil phase
Implementation Method 2
The processes further comprise feeding water phase through a filter system to remove solids and form a treated water stream
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides processes for removing hydrocarbons, oil coated solids, and suspended solids from a separated water stream produced from a produced water source. In particular, the methods comprise subjecting the separated water stream to a centrifugal separation followed by filtration.