The separation of oil and produced water mixtures from oil and gas producing w e b has traditionaUy been accomplished by gravity settlers (e.g., multi-phase separators, skimmers, andflotation ceh). However, current EPA regulations on the organic content of discharged produced water have reached the limits of these separation techniques. The industry is in need of new technologies to treat these waters. One such technology that we have found promising is organicslwater separation by nano$ltration membranes.
A process has been developed for converting oilfield produced water into irrigation/drinking quality water. The process consists of air flotation, clarification, softening, filtration, reverse osmosis and water reconditioning. A pilot plant was successfully operated for a extended period of time for handling water with approximately 7,000 mg/L of total dissolved solids, 250 mg/L silica and 170 mg/L soluble oil at a wide range of pH (7-11). The quality of treated water met the stringent California Title 22 Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels.
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