Patent · US Active

Method for excluding salt and other soluble materials from produced water

US7569737B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
13References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2005
Grant dateAug 4, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 17, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A20/124
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for reducing the salinity, as well as the hydrocarbon concentration of produced water to levels sufficient to meet surface water discharge standards. Pressure vessel and coflow injection technology developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is used to mix produced water and a gas hydrate forming fluid to form a solid or semi-solid gas hydrate mixture. Salts and solids are excluded from the water that becomes a part of the hydrate cage. A three-step process of dissociation of the hydrate results in purified water suitable for irrigation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.