Hydraulic Fracturing Produced Water Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for treating hydraulic fracturing fluids are inefficient in separating and purifying hydrocarbon species and produced water, leading to residual contaminants and environmental concerns due to the use of conventional oilfield and wastewater treatment methods.
Innovation Solution
A filtration method utilizing a high-efficiency filtration medium that separates hydrocarbon species from fluid streams, producing a permeate stream and filter cake, with the option to reuse or recycle the treated water, and injecting purified water back into the well, while managing filter cakes and disposing of them separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional oilfield and wastewater treatment technologies are used to treat hydraulic fracturing fluids, then the treatment process can be implemented with existing infrastructure, but the separation and purification efficiency of hydrocarbon species and produced water is insufficient, leading to residual contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is divided into multiple sequential separation stages: initial hydrocarbon separation, followed by produced water treatment through filtration and centrifugation. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific contaminants, achieving higher overall purification efficiency compared to conventional single-stage treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous filtration media and membrane technologies to separate hydrocarbon species from produced water. The porous structures provide large surface area and selective permeability, enabling efficient removal of dissolved and suspended hydrocarbons while allowing water to pass through, thereby reducing residual contaminants.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple treatment unit operations are deployed to remove contaminants, then purification effectiveness improves, but system complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separation functions are combined into integrated treatment units. For example, the system merges hydrocarbon separation, water filtration, and solids removal into a coordinated process flow, where effluent from one unit becomes feed for the next, reducing the number of independent complex systems required.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system is designed with multi-functional units that can handle different types of contaminants through the same infrastructure. The produced water treatment system, for instance, can simultaneously remove dissolved hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and chemical additives through its integrated filtration and separation train.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If produced water is treated and reused or recycled, then environmental impact is reduced and water resources are conserved, but additional treatment steps and infrastructure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses produced water after treatment, converting what would be a waste stream into a valuable resource. The treated water is recycled back into hydraulic fracturing operations, reducing the need for fresh water and minimizing environmental discharge, while the filter cakes and separated hydrocarbons are disposed of or recovered separately.
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 method achieves efficient separation and purification of hydrocarbon species and produced water, reducing environmental impact by effectively removing contaminants and allowing for the reuse of treated water, thereby improving the hydrocarbon extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
directing the second fluid stream to a first filtration medium; passing essentially all of the second fluid stream through the medium to produce a permeate stream and a filter cake
Implementation Method 2
separating the hydrocarbon species from the fluid stream to produce a second fluid stream comprising liquid water; filtering the produced water with the medium produces a filter cake upstream of, and in contact with, the medium and concentrated with suspended solids
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recovering and treating hydrocarbon fluids using a hydraulic fracturing process wherein a fluid stream containing liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon species or both, produced water, suspended solids, and dissolved contaminants is recovered from a well. Hydrocarbon species are separated from the fluid stream to produce a second fluid stream comprising liquid water, which is then directed to a filter medium and essentially all of the second fluid stream passes through the medium to produce a permeate stream and a filter cake, and the filter cake is separated from the medium and disposed of separately.