Perforated Baffle Plate for Produced Water Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing water fraction in oil and gas production, coupled with stricter environmental regulations, necessitates more effective and cost-efficient technologies for separating oil from produced water, as conventional methods are inadequate in achieving low oil ppm levels and are costly.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a tank with a gas injection system, perforated baffle plates, and guide vanes to separate oil from produced water by mixing it with a gas component, creating circulation that allows oil droplets to rise and be discharged, while cleaned water is conveyed to the bottom outlet, with optional recirculation and multiple stages for enhanced purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used, then the separation process is simple, but the oil ppm level in purified water cannot be reduced sufficiently and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple stages with different functions: a first separation stage for bulk oil removal and a second separation stage for fine purification to achieve low oil ppm levels. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high purification without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Gas bubbles are introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate oil-water separation. The gas bubbles attach to oil droplets and carry them to the surface, enhancing the separation efficiency and enabling lower oil ppm levels in the purified water without requiring overly complex mechanical separation systems
2Manufacturing precision
If more advanced separation technologies are developed, then oil ppm level decreases, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural buoyancy of gas bubbles and oil droplets to achieve separation without requiring expensive external energy inputs or complex mechanical components. The gas injection creates circulation patterns that enhance separation efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness through passive separation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Gas is injected into the water to create bubbles that rise and carry oil droplets to the surface. This pneumatic approach leverages fluid dynamics and bubble-oil interactions to achieve effective separation at lower costs compared to advanced mechanical or chemical separation technologies
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 solution effectively reduces oil ppm levels in purified water, making the process more compact, cost-effective, and adaptable for both onshore and offshore oil installations, with improved mixing and separation efficiency, capable of handling varying water compositions.
Implementation Method 1
oil and gas with adherent oil droplets will rise to an outlet at the top of the tank and being discharged
Data Source
AI summary
A process for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water as well as an apparatus for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water. A perforated baffle plate is arranged in a separator tank to provide for equalizing of the downwardly flow rate of produced water. The insertion of such baffle plates has shown that less oil is following the stream downward.