Water Processing System for Produced Water Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for treating produced water from hydrocarbon extraction processes generate undesirable waste byproducts, increasing the costs of disposal and reuse due to high salt content and organic components, which are not effectively recovered for commercial value.

Innovation Solution

A water processing system comprising a pretreatment system and a mineral removal system that separates hydrocarbons and minerals, using filtration, ion exchange, and membrane processes to recover commercially viable components like hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, while minimizing waste generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If existing techniques are used to treat produced water, then the brine stream can be processed, but undesirable waste byproducts are generated and disposal costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste byproductsVSAvoidtreatment and disposal costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies discarding and recovering by implementing a multi-stage treatment system that selectively removes and recovers valuable components (hydrocarbons, minerals, salts) from produced water. The system discards only the necessary portions while recovering commercially viable substances, thereby reducing waste byproducts and associated disposal costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts harmful waste components into beneficial products. High salt content and mineral concentrations that would normally be disposed of as waste are instead recovered and converted into commercially viable products, transforming a cost center into a potential revenue stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If produced water is disposed of without treatment, then disposal is simpler, but the high salt content and organic components make it unsuitable for reuse and environmentally problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental impact and reuse suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the treatment process into distinct stages: pretreatment for hydrocarbon removal, primary treatment for mineral removal, and finishing treatment for polishing. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific contaminants, making the overall process more effective at reducing environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If conventional treatment methods are used, then produced water can be treated, but valuable materials are not recovered for commercial use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidrecovered materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting pH levels, temperature, and chemical concentrations at different treatment stages to optimize the recovery of specific materials. For example, pH adjustment facilitates selective precipitation of minerals, while controlled temperature changes aid in hydrocarbon separation, thereby maximizing material recovery while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces waste byproducts, allowing for the recovery of valuable materials from produced water, thereby decreasing treatment and disposal costs and providing a sustainable use for hydrocarbon-containing brine streams.

Implementation Method 1

a first filtration system that may receive the feed stream, separate the feed stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an intermediate brine stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a mineral removal system that may receive and remove the plurality of minerals from the first brine stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS11634348B2System and method for treating hydrocarbon-containing feed streams

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 ENVIRO WATER MINERALS COMPANY

AI summary

A water processing system includes a pretreatment system disposed within the water processing system. The pretreatment system may treat a feed stream including oil and brine and to generate a first brine stream. The pretreatment system includes a first filtration system that may receive the feed stream, the first filtration system may separate the feed stream into a hydrocarbon stream and an intermediate brine stream, the intermediate brine stream includes a plurality of minerals, and the hydrocarbon stream includes water, the oil, and suspended solids. The water processing system also includes a mineral removal system fluidly coupled to and disposed downstream from the first filtration system. The mineral removal system may receive and remove the plurality of minerals from the first brine stream output from the pretreatment system. The mineral removal system includes a first mineral removal unit that may remove a first portion of the plurality of minerals from the first brine stream and to generate a second brine stream. The water processing system also includes a hydrocarbon removal system disposed within the pretreatment system and fluidly coupled to the first filtration system. The hydrocarbon removal system may receive the hydrocarbon stream, to recover the oil, and to generate a recovered oil stream.