Offshore Slop Treatment Apparatus Using Dissolved Air Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating offshore drilling slops are economically and environmentally challenging due to high transportation costs and hazards, necessitating an efficient and compact solution for on-site treatment that complies with discharge and safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A modular slop treatment apparatus using a combination of chemical treatment and dissolved air flotation (DAF) to separate and recover water at the rig site, with continuous TPH monitoring and on-demand operation to minimize footprint and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offshore slops are transported to shore for treatment and disposal, then treatment and disposal can be performed using conventional facilities, but transportation costs are high and hazards and risks are exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the treatment function from onshore facilities and places it directly on the offshore rig through a compact treatment apparatus. This eliminates the need to transport slops to shore by enabling on-site treatment, thereby reducing transportation volume and associated risks while maintaining treatment compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary treatment system that processes slops between generation and final disposal. This on-site treatment apparatus acts as a mediator that reduces the volume and hazard of slops before any necessary transportation or discharge, resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and transportation burden.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional on-site treatment techniques are used to reduce transportation costs, then some cost reduction is achieved, but treatment efficiency is insufficient and discharge regulations may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting pH levels, applying chemical treatments, and controlling operational parameters of the treatment apparatus to optimize separation efficiency. These parameter adjustments enable high-efficiency treatment that meets discharge regulations while maximizing wastewater volume reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment apparatus uses composite treatment methods combining chemical treatments, dissolved air flotation, and mechanical separation. This multi-component approach achieves superior treatment efficiency compared to conventional single-method systems, enabling both high volume reduction and regulatory compliance.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact treatment apparatus is deployed on the rig to reduce footprint, then space constraints are addressed, but treatment capacity and efficiency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment apparatus is designed with a nested, modular structure where components are integrated within compact housings. The system nests multiple treatment functions (chemical dosing, mixing, flotation, separation) within a small footprint, maintaining high treatment capacity while minimizing deck space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal space occupation to vertical integration, stacking treatment components vertically to reduce the horizontal footprint on the rig deck. This dimensional change allows the apparatus to maintain full treatment capacity while occupying minimal deck space.
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 apparatus significantly reduces wastewater shipment volumes by up to 95% and ensures compliance with environmental regulations, while being easily deployable and energy-efficient, thereby lowering costs and risks associated with onshore treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system that separates and recovers water from a slop feed stream
Implementation Method 2
one or more level sensors adapted to sense a location of an interface between the clean fluid layer and the one or more contaminant layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for improving slop water treatment efficiency. The method generally includes separating contaminated fluid into a clean fluid layer and one or more contaminant layers floating on a surface of the clean fluid layer in a vessel; reporting to a control unit, a location, sensed by level sensor(s), of an interface between the clean fluid layer and the contaminant layer(s); reporting to the control unit, a height, sensed by a first position sensor, of a skimmer relative to the vessel; adjusting, using the control unit and based on the reported location of the interface and/or the reported height of the skimmer, the height of the skimmer so that one or more components of the skimmer are positioned proximate the sensed location of the interface; and skimming, using the skimmer, the contaminant layer(s) off of the clean fluid layer proximate the sensed interface.