Multi-Stage Reverse Osmosis for Controlled Salinity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reverse osmosis systems produce water with salinity ranging from 10 to 500 parts per million, which is insufficient for efficient enhanced recovery processes in oil and gas wells, and lack the controllable salinity needed for various reservoir conditions.
Innovation Solution
A reverse osmosis system with multiple membrane modules having different salt permeance values is used to process feed solutions, allowing for the production of permeate with salinity of at least 500 parts per million by configuring the modules in series within a pressure vessel to achieve controlled salinity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current reverse osmosis systems are used to produce water, then potable water requirements are met with salinity of 10 to 500 ppm, but the salinity is insufficient for efficient enhanced recovery processes which require over 500 ppm
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse osmosis system is divided into multiple stages with different membrane modules. Each stage uses membranes with specific salt permeance values to progressively adjust the permeate salinity. The first stage produces lower salinity permeate while the second stage produces higher salinity permeate, allowing the system to deliver controlled salinity levels (500-2000 ppm) suitable for enhanced oil recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the key parameter of salt permeance by selecting membrane modules with different permeance values for different stages. By adjusting the salt permeance parameter of the membranes used in each stage, the system can control the final permeate salinity to match specific reservoir requirements, thereby improving adaptability to different reservoir conditions.
2Ease of operation
If membrane modules with different salt permeance values are configured in series, then controllable salinity levels of at least 500 ppm are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple reverse osmosis stages, each containing membrane modules with different salt permeance values. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each stage's membrane selection to achieve the desired permeate salinity while maintaining a modular structure that simplifies system design and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage reverse osmosis system performs multiple functions: the first stage produces permeate for general use while the second stage produces higher salinity permeate specifically tailored for enhanced oil recovery. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address both potable water requirements and reservoir-specific salinity needs, reducing the need for separate treatment systems.
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 enhances hydrocarbon recovery by producing permeate with desired salinity levels, improving the efficiency of enhanced recovery processes and reducing costs associated with well site operations.
Implementation Method 1
reverse osmosis system for processing a feed solution
Implementation Method 2
Each first membrane module of the plurality of first membrane modules has a first salt permeance value. At least one second membrane module has a second salt permeance value that is different from the first salt permeance value
Data Source
AI summary
A reverse osmosis unit for processing a feed solution is provided. The unit includes a pressure vessel includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a vessel body extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The reverse osmosis unit further includes a plurality of first membrane modules positioned within the pressure vessel. Each first membrane module of the plurality of first membrane modules has a first salt permeance value. At least one second membrane module is positioned within the pressure vessel and coupled in flow communication to the plurality of first membrane modules. The at least one second membrane module has a second salt permeance value that is different from the first salt permeance value.