Macroporous Weak-Acid Resin for Scaling Ion Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing divalent and trivalent scaling ions from heavy oil produced water with high temperature, high salt content, and high organic content are inefficient, requiring complex processes and high costs, and often result in incomplete removal and scaling issues in steam injection boilers.
Innovation Solution
A method using a macroporous weak-acid resin with a specific composition and structure, including a matrix material, porogen, reinforcing agent, initiator, and dispersant, to simultaneously remove divalent and trivalent scaling ions without cooling or removing organic matter, effectively reducing their concentration to 50 μg/L or less, thereby preventing scaling in steam injection boilers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional strong acid resins and weak acid resins are used for hardness removal, then the removal process is simple, but the hardness removal is not thorough due to high temperature, high salt content, and high organic concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the resin parameters by introducing a macroporous structure with controlled pore sizes (0.03-0.3 mm) and adjusting the chemical composition to include specific functional groups that enhance ion exchange capacity at high temperatures, enabling thorough hardness removal without increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite resin material combining macroporous structure with specific chemical functional groups, integrating physical pore structures for ion access with chemical groups for ion exchange, achieving both simple operation and complete removal effectiveness
2Reliability
If silica removal treatment is implemented to prevent scaling, then boiler scaling is prevented, but the treatment process becomes complicated and requires large investment and high operating cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the resin material multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously remove divalent and trivalent scaling ions while being effective at high temperatures without requiring separate silica removal processes, thus preventing scaling while maintaining process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of hardness removal and scaling prevention into a single ion exchange process using one resin material, eliminating the need for separate silica removal treatment steps and reducing overall process complexity
3Reliability
If strong acid resin is used for hardness removal, then the resin has high ion exchange capacity, but the resin cannot fully restore adsorption capacity after saturation or poisoning and has short service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs macroporous resin material with controlled pore structures that facilitate ion access and resin regeneration, allowing the resin to restore its ion exchange capacity more effectively after saturation, thereby extending service life while maintaining high ion exchange capacity
4Device complexity
If only calcium and magnesium ion concentration is controlled, then the removal process is simple, but fouling still occurs in the tube of steam injection boiler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands the removal scope by targeting multiple ion types (divalent and trivalent ions including calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminum, barium, and strontium) simultaneously, changing the operational parameters to achieve comprehensive ion removal that prevents fouling while maintaining reasonable process complexity
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 effectively reduces divalent and trivalent scaling ions to a low concentration, preventing scaling in steam injection boilers, reducing operational costs, and extending the service life of the resin through regeneration, while maintaining boiler performance and environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
carrying out a simultaneous removal treatment of the divalent and trivalent scaling ions in the heavy oil produced water with a macroporous weak-acid resin
Data Source
AI summary
A method for deep removal of divalent and trivalent scaling ions from heavy oil produced water is described. The method comprises performing divalent and trivalent scaling ion deep removal treatment on heavy oil produced water by using a macroporous weak acid resin, to reduce divalent and trivalent scaling ions in the heavy oil produced water to 50 μg/L. The water quality of produced water treated using the method is superior to the boiler water standard, a silicon removal process in a conventional heavy oil produced water treatment process can be cancelled, and significant economic benefits are achieved.