Method for excluding salt and other soluble materials from produced water
US7569737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 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.