Automated Produced Water Treatment with Dynamic Ozone Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating produced water from oil and gas operations are inefficient in dynamically adjusting to changing water quality and fail to effectively remove contaminants and improve separation processes, while also not adequately addressing carbon sequestration needs.
Innovation Solution
An automated treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of separators, with dynamic dose rate adjustment based on real-time monitoring, and incorporates nano-bubble technology for friction reduction and carbon sequestration by introducing carbon dioxide in nanobubble form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional produced water treatment methods are used, then basic separation is achieved, but the system cannot dynamically adjust to changing water quality and treatment efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic dosing of ozone based on real-time monitoring of water quality parameters, allowing the treatment process to adapt to changing produced water characteristics. The ozone injection rate is continuously adjusted to match the actual contamination level, ensuring optimal treatment efficiency under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous monitoring of produced water quality and uses this feedback to automatically adjust ozone dosing rates. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to quality changes and maintain high treatment efficiency dynamically.
2Ease of manufacture
If produced water is injected into disposal wells, then waste disposal is achieved, but high pump pressure increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical energy consumption (high pump pressure) with chemical treatment (ozone oxidation and nanobubble generation). By modifying the water's physical-chemical properties through oxidation and nanobubble formation, the system reduces friction and resistance in the injection system, thereby lowering the mechanical energy required for pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the produced water including oxidation state (through ozone), gas content (nanobubbles), and surface properties. These parameter changes reduce friction and improve flow characteristics, leading to lower pump pressure requirements for well injection.
3Reliability
If ozone is injected at high doses, then contaminant removal is improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies ozone dosing at the minimum effective level rather than excessive doses. By using continuous monitoring and dynamic adjustment, the system achieves adequate contaminant removal with partial action, avoiding the complexities and costs associated with high-dose continuous treatment.
4Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is injected into produced water, then carbon sequestration is achieved, but gas solubility limits restrict the amount of carbon that can be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of carbon dioxide from gas to dissolved state through nanobubble formation. The nanobubble technology creates a large surface area for gas-liquid interface, dramatically increasing the solubility and storage capacity of carbon dioxide in produced water beyond conventional limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nanobubbles as a porous-like structure with extremely high surface area to volume ratio. This nanoscale porous structure provides extensive interface for carbon dioxide dissolution, enabling supersaturated storage of carbon in the produced water.
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 system effectively clarifies produced water by removing suspended matter, reduces injection/disposal well pump pressure, and enhances carbon sequestration by maintaining supersaturated carbon dioxide in produced water, thereby improving treatment efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The ozone is consumed rapidly by bacteria, iron, sulfides and other reducers in the produced water stream
Implementation Method 2
The oxygen bubbles provide lift, floats lighter solids, and improves the oil/water separation process
Implementation Method 3
The oxygen bubbles in the produced water provides an Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) effect in the downstream separators
Implementation Method 4
introducing carbon dioxide in nanobubble form... reduces injection/disposal well pump pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system. Ozone and/or nitrogen micro-bubbles and/or nano-bubbles may be introduced for friction reduction in oil and gas operations. Carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles is used to supersaturate treated produced water. The supersaturated produced water is then injected into Class II injection wells for effective storage in underground formations in conjunction with enhanced recovery operations or the storage and disposal of produced water.