Composite-Lined Disposal Cell for Hydrocarbon Water Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disposal of hydrocarbon-containing waste streams is environmentally challenging and costly, particularly in the oil industry, due to the generation of large volumes of hydrocarbon/water mixtures and the scarcity of suitable disposal sites, necessitating an efficient and effective treatment method.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving a composite-lined disposal cell where the hydrocarbon/water mixture separates under quiescent conditions, with the hydrocarbon fraction extracted using a skimmer and pump, and the water fraction filtered through topsoil and geotextile composite into collector tubes, allowing for further separation and potential evaporation or reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hydrocarbon-containing waste streams are disposed of using conventional methods, then disposal capacity is limited by available sites, but treatment cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal capacityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waste stream is divided into separate hydrocarbon and water phases through gravitational separation in the disposal cell, allowing each component to be treated and disposed of through appropriate pathways, thereby increasing disposal capacity while reducing environmental harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state and composition parameters of the waste stream by separating hydrocarbons from water, transforming a difficult-to-dispose mixed waste into separable components that can be handled more effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If large volumes of hydrocarbon/water mixture are treated, then treatment efficiency is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disposal cell utilizes natural gravitational separation to divide the hydrocarbon/water mixture into distinct layers without requiring complex mechanical separation equipment, allowing large volumes to be treated efficiently while minimizing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs hydraulic principles where the lighter hydrocarbon phase naturally rises to the surface while the heavier water phase settles below, enabling automatic phase separation and simplifying the overall treatment system design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Loss of substance

If hydrocarbon fraction is extracted using skimmer and pump, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but energy consumption and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recoveryVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The skimmer and pump system extracts only the hydrocarbon fraction from the separated mixture rather than processing the entire waste stream, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective hydrocarbon recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Gravitational separation of phases occurs before the skimming operation, pre-positioning the hydrocarbon layer at the surface for easier and more energy-efficient extraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach efficiently treats large volumes of hydrocarbon/water waste mixtures, reducing environmental impact and operational costs by allowing for the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons and the safe drainage and evaporation of water, effectively addressing the disposal challenges.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid fraction of the waste product is allowed to separate under quiescent conditions into a water fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational separation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The water fraction is filtered through top soil and a geotextile composite into collector tubes located in the subgrade beneath the disposal cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The water fraction in the first vessel, in turn, may be drained back into the cell and allowed to evaporate, either on its own or using enhanced evaporation techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9512015B2Method and system for water treatment

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 RED RIVER SERVICE CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon containing water waste mixture are taught and described. The mixture is placed into a composite-lined disposal cell wherein the liquid fraction separates into a water fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction. The hydrocarbon fraction is extracted and the water fraction is filtered through top soil and a geotextile composite into collector tubes located in the subgrade beneath the disposal cell. The filtered water is pumped into a first vessel and again allowed to separate into a hydrocarbon fraction and a water fraction. The hydrocarbon fraction is pumped into a second vessel and the water fraction may be extracted from the first vessel. The hydrocarbon in the second vessel may be further processed, treated, or sold to a reclaimer.