Nanomembrane Purification of Produced Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bivalent alkaline earth ions in produced water cause scaling issues and environmental concerns, and existing wastewater treatment methods are inadequate for their removal and reuse in oil field applications.
Innovation Solution
A nanomembrane system formed from polymeric waste with functionalized carboxyl groups is used to adsorb bivalent alkaline earth cations by forming carbonate crystals, which can be regenerated for reuse, utilizing CO2 plasma treatment and acid regeneration processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid adsorbents are used in column beds to remove bivalent cations, then bivalent cation removal is achieved, but the system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active adsorption function from the complex column bed system and concentrates it into a functionalized nanomembrane. The nanomembrane with carboxyl groups selectively binds bivalent cations while allowing monovalent ions to pass through, achieving effective removal without requiring complex column bed infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin nanomembrane film as the purification medium. This flexible, selective membrane allows for simple integration into water treatment systems while maintaining high removal efficiency through its functionalized surface that specifically targets bivalent cations.
2Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment methods are used, then some impurities are removed, but bivalent cations remain at problematic concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by functionalizing specific regions of the nanomembrane surface with carboxyl groups. This creates localized active sites that have high affinity for bivalent cations, enabling selective removal while the rest of the membrane maintains its selective permeability properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a base nanomembrane material with surface-functionalized carboxyl groups. This composite approach creates a material that possesses both the mechanical integrity of the membrane and the selective chemical binding capability for bivalent cations.
3Ease of manufacture
If produced water with high bivalent ion concentration is discharged, then disposal is simplified, but environmental problems and scaling issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high concentration of bivalent cations into a beneficial outcome by using the functionalized nanomembrane to selectively bind and remove these ions. The removed cations can be recovered or disposed of separately, while the treated water becomes suitable for reuse, transforming a disposal problem into a resource recovery opportunity.
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
Effectively removes bivalent alkaline earth ions from produced water, preventing scaling and enabling the reuse of water, while utilizing waste materials and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
bivalent alkaline earth cations are adsorbed on the surface of the nanomembrane
Implementation Method 2
bivalent alkaline earth cations are adsorbed on the surface of the nanomembrane in a solution including carbonate ions (CO3 2−) to form carbonate crystals on the surface of the nanomembrane
Implementation Method 3
form carbonate crystals on the surface of the nanomembrane
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for purifying a produced water using a nanomembrane formed from polymeric waste are provided. The method includes placing the nanomembrane into an aqueous solution, wherein a surface of the nanomembrane is functionalized with carboxyl groups. Carbon dioxide is injected into the aqueous solution, and bivalent alkaline earth cations are adsorbed on the surface of the nanomembrane in the presence of carbonate ions (CO32−) to form carbonate crystals on the surface of the nanomembrane.