Microwave Separation Technology for Frac Water Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frac water from hydraulic fracturing is susceptible to contamination, posing environmental risks and increasing costs due to the need for safe disposal and the inability to reuse it after initial fracturing.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Microwave Separation Technology (MST) in combination with ultra-violet light remediation (UVLR) and chemical additives to treat and remediate Frac water, allowing for its reuse and reducing contamination levels, deployed at drilling sites or centralized locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If Frac water is not treated, then operational costs are reduced, but environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies microwave irradiation to convert the harmful contaminated Frac water into a beneficial resource by destroying bacterial cell walls and membranes through dielectric heating. This process transforms the waste product into reusable water, eliminating environmental contamination while reducing operational costs through water reuse in subsequent fracturing operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Frac water is treated with conventional methods, then contamination is reduced, but treatment time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical and chemical treatment systems with electromagnetic radiation (microwave irradiation). This substitution enables rapid contamination reduction through direct energy transfer to water molecules and bacterial structures, achieving effective treatment in minutes rather than hours or days required by conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dielectric properties of water and bacterial structures to enable selective heating and destruction. By controlling microwave frequency and power parameters, the system achieves rapid contamination reduction while preserving water quality for reuse, significantly reducing treatment time compared to conventional approaches
3Object-affected harmful factors
If Frac water is disposed of, then environmental risk is reduced, but water loss and purchase costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding contaminated Frac water, the patent recovers it through microwave treatment that destroys contaminants while preserving the water itself. The treated water is then reused in subsequent fracturing operations, eliminating both environmental risk and the need to purchase additional water, thereby preventing water loss
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
Significantly reduces contamination levels and associated costs, enhancing environmental compliance by enabling the reuse of remediated Frac water, thereby minimizing environmental risks and operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the contaminated Frac water to a microwave separation technology (MST) process
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the contaminated Frac water to an ultra-violet light technology (UVLR) process
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the contaminated Frac water to an ultra-violet light technology (UVLR) process
Data Source
AI summary
A method for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing includes storing contaminated Frac water in a first collection unit, operating at least one pumping unit to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and storing remediated Frac water in a second collection unit. A microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit are used to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. A system operating according to the method can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance.