Integrated Electrocoagulation, Ultrafiltration, Membrane Distillation, and Crystallization for Treating Produced Water

Jebur, Mahmood; Bachynska, Yelyzaveta; Hao, Xiaolei; Wickramasinghe, Sumith Ranil

doi:10.3390/membranes13060597

Integrated Electrocoagulation, Ultrafiltration, Membrane Distillation, and Crystallization for Treating Produced Water

Journal Article · Mon Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Membranes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060597· OSTI ID:1984891

Jebur, Mahmood; Bachynska, Yelyzaveta; Hao, Xiaolei;

Produced water (PW) generated from hydraulic fracturing operations was treated using an integrated electrocoagulation, ultrafiltration, membrane distillation, and crystallization process (EC UF MDC). The aim was to determine the viability of this integrated process for maximizing water recovery. The results obtained here indicate that optimizing the various unit operations could lead to increased recovery of PW. Membrane fouling limits all membrane separation processes. A pretreatment step to suppress fouling is essential. Here, removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and total organic carbon (TOC) was achieved by electrocoagulation (EC) followed by ultrafiltration (UF). The hydrophobic membrane used in membrane distillation may be fouled by dissolved organic compounds. Reducing membrane fouling is essential to increase the long-term durability of the membrane distillation (MD) system. In addition, combining membrane distillation with crystallization (MDC) can help reduce scale formation. By inducing crystallization in the feed tank, scale formation on the MD membrane was suppressed. The integrated EC UF MDC process can impact Water Resources/Oil & Gas Companies. Conservation of surface and groundwater is possible by treating and reusing PW. Additionally, treating PW reduces the amount of PW disposed in Class II disposal wells and promotes more environmentally sustainable operations.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1984891

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2418563

Journal Information:: Membranes, Journal Name: Membranes Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 13; ISSN 2077-0375; ISSN MBSEB6

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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