Microbial Electrolysis for GOSP Wastewater and Hydrogen Co-Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas oil separation plants (GOSP) face challenges in efficiently treating oil and gas wastewater while producing clean energy, as existing methods are costly and environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
Integration of microbial electrolysis with hydrogen oxidation in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) to simultaneously treat oil and gas wastewater and produce hydrogen gas, which can be used to generate electrical power within the GOSP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment methods are used in GOSP, then wastewater treatment is achieved, but operational costs increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hydrocarbons in wastewater into beneficial hydrogen gas through microbial electrolysis. The hydrocarbons that would normally require expensive chemical treatment or incineration are instead used as substrate for hydrogen-producing bacteria, transforming a waste stream into a clean energy source while treating the wastewater
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wastewater itself as the fuel source for hydrogen production. The hydrocarbons present in the wastewater serve as the substrate for microbial electrolysis, eliminating the need for external fuel sources or additional chemical reagents that would increase operational costs
2Power
If microbial electrolysis is used to produce hydrogen, then clean energy is generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microbial electrolysis cell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it treats wastewater by removing hydrocarbons, produces hydrogen gas as a clean energy carrier, and generates electrical current that can be used to power the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate treatment systems and energy generation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wastewater treatment process with the hydrogen production process into a single integrated system. The microbial electrolysis cell combines biological degradation of hydrocarbons with electrochemical hydrogen generation, eliminating the need for separate treatment and energy production facilities
3Power
If hydrogen gas is produced and stored, then clean energy is available, but safety risks increase due to hydrogen flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous production and immediate utilization of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen is generated continuously through microbial electrolysis and directly fed to the fuel cell for electricity generation, eliminating the need for hydrogen storage and transport operations that would create safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an on-site fuel cell as an intermediary device that converts hydrogen to electricity immediately at the point of production. This intermediary step allows the system to benefit from hydrogen's high energy density while avoiding the safety issues associated with storing and transporting large volumes of gaseous hydrogen
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 effectively reduces the oil content of wastewater, produces clean energy, and recycles treated wastewater for further use, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The MEC electrolyzes the hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen ions at the anode side
Implementation Method 2
The membrane allows the hydrogen ions and water molecules to pass through the membrane from the anode side to the cathode side
Implementation Method 3
The MEC combines the hydrogen ions at the cathode side to produce hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 4
The hydrogen gas stream is oxidized into water. Electrical power is generated in response to oxidizing the hydrogen gas into water
Implementation Method 5
The hydrogen gas stream is oxidized into water. Electrical power is generated in response to oxidizing the hydrogen gas into water
Data Source
AI summary
A wastewater stream is flowed from a separator to an anode side of a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). The wastewater stream includes water and hydrocarbons. The separator is positioned in a gas-oil separation plant. The MEC electrolyzes the hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen ions. A membrane separates the MEC into the anode side and a cathode side. The membrane allows the hydrogen ions and water molecules to pass through the membrane from the anode side to the cathode side, thereby forming a treated wastewater stream at the cathode side. The MEC combines the hydrogen ions at the cathode side to produce hydrogen gas. The treated wastewater stream and a hydrogen gas stream is discharged from the cathode side. The hydrogen gas stream includes the hydrogen gas produced by the MEC. The hydrogen gas stream is oxidized into water. Electrical power is generated in response to oxidizing the hydrogen gas into water.