Microalgae Bioremediation of Produced Water With Wastewater Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating petroleum-derived produced water (PW) are inefficient in removing dissolved organic compounds and nutrients, failing to meet environmental regulations and recycling requirements due to high salinity and pollutant content, with Chlorella sorokiniana's potential underexplored for bioremediation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing Chlorella sorokiniana microalgae to bioremediate organic compounds in PW by mixing it with domestic wastewater, allowing the microalgae to consume hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and phosphorous, achieving high removal efficiencies through a bioreactor process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional treatment procedures are used to decontaminate produced water, then some level of treatment is achieved, but the methods fail to comply with environmental laws and achieve sufficient removal of dissolved organic compounds and nutrients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment approach from conventional physical-chemical methods to biological treatment using halotolerant microalgae. This parameter change enables the system to achieve 80-90% hydrocarbon removal, 70-95% nitrogen removal, and 90-100% phosphorous removal, thereby simultaneously improving manufacturing precision and ensuring reliability for environmental compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The microalgae system is self-sustaining, using sunlight for photosynthesis and the nutrients present in produced water for growth. The microalgae consume hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and phosphorous as food sources, converting pollutants into biomass without requiring external energy input or chemical additives, thus achieving high removal efficiency reliably
2Manufacturing precision
If produced water with high salinity and pollutant content is treated using conventional methods, then treatment process is simple, but removal efficiency of dissolved organic compounds is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The microalgae system requires minimal external intervention, utilizing only sunlight, CO2, and nutrients already present in the produced water. The system automatically adapts to high salinity conditions through the halotolerant nature of the microalgae, achieving 80-90% hydrocarbon removal without complex treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a biological parameter change by using living microalgae cells instead of conventional physical-chemical treatment parameters. This enables efficient removal of dissolved organic compounds even in high salinity conditions, as the microalgae metabolically process the pollutants while thriving in the saline environment
3Ease of manufacture
If produced water is discharged into the environment without adequate treatment, then disposal is simple and quick, but ecosystems, human health, and aquatic life are threatened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful pollutants in produced water into beneficial biomass. The microalgae consume hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and phosphorous - transforming toxic substances into valuable biological material that can be used for biofuels, animal feed, or fertilizers. This simultaneously simplifies disposal and eliminates environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The microalgae system autonomously performs the function of pollutant removal and biomass production, requiring no external energy input or chemical treatments. The system naturally converts harmful produced water into beneficial products, making disposal both easy and environmentally safe
4Manufacturing precision
If microalgae-based bioremediation is used to remove pollutants from produced water, then pollutant removal efficiency is enhanced and biomass is produced, but the system requires mixing with domestic wastewater to provide nutrients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two waste streams - produced water and domestic wastewater - into a single treatment system. The domestic wastewater provides essential nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) that supplement the produced water, enabling the microalgae to achieve optimal growth and pollutant removal efficiency. This combination transforms two problematic waste streams into a productive bioremediation system
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 80-90% hydrocarbon removal, 70-95% nitrogen removal, and 90-100% phosphorous removal, with biomass productivity of 45-55 mg/L/day, demonstrating a sustainable and effective bioremediation process.
Implementation Method 1
a method for removing organic compounds from a solution using a halotolerant microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana
Implementation Method 2
removing the one or more hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and phosphorous from the solution by algal consumption with the microalgae feedstock
Implementation Method 3
Microalgae may be favored over conventional biological wastewater treatment methods for their benefits of enhanced elimination of pollutants and pathogens, reduced energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A method for organic compound removal from a solution using microalgae includes extracting one or more hydrocarbons from an underground geologic formation to form a hydrocarbon composition and a produced water including at least a portion of the one or more hydrocarbons and one or more salts. The method further includes mixing the produced water with a wastewater to form a solution, and then contacting a microalgae feedstock, Chlorella sorokiniana, with the solution in a bioreactor. The total lipid content of the microalgae feedstock is 13 to 17%. The method includes removing the one or more hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and phosphorous from the solution by algal consumption with the microalgae feedstock. The method of the present disclosure removes 80 to 90 wt. % of the one or more hydrocarbons, 70 to 85 wt. % nitrogen, and 90 to 100 wt. % phosphorous.