Water treatment method for heavy oil production
Patent 6733636 Issued on May 11, 2004. Estimated Expiration Date: 
May 8, 2020. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
May 8, 2020. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 2091898 3192130 3586090 3917526 Evaporation of radioactive wastes Feed heating method for multiple effect evaporators Apparatus for desalting saline water Method and apparatus for converting saline water to fresh water Salt cake processing method and apparatus Desalination process system and by-product recovery InventorApplicationNo. 09566622 filed on 05/08/2000US Classes:203/1, WITH MEASURING, TESTING OR INSPECTING159/24.1, Regenerative159/47.1, PROCESSES159/901, PROMOTING CIRCULATION159/45, APPARATUS FOR GRAINING AND SEPARATING CRYSTALS166/267, Separating outside of well166/303, Placing preheated fluid into formation203/10, WATER PURIFICATION ONLY203/26, Compressed vapor as heat source203/98, AND RETURNING PRODUCT OF DISTILLATION STEP TO DISTILLATION ZONE203/48, By crystallizing210/664, By distilling or degassing210/669, Prior to ion exchange or sorption210/805, And recirculating liquid210/806Plural separatingExaminersPrimary: Manoharan, VirginiaAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesB01D 128B01D 342 C02F 104 C02F 900 AbstractA method of treating produced water from heavy oil production to provide feedwater for the production of high quality steam. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is initially treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. The pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. In some cases, the pH may be raised (without, or subsequent to decarbonation, depending upon water chemistry) preferably by caustic addition, to maintain silica solubility in the feedwater. Next the feedwater is introduced into an evaporator, and the feedwater is evaporated to a pre-selected concentration factor to produce (1) a distillate having a small amount of residual hardness therein, and (2) a concentrate containing residual solids (dissolved solids and in some cases, suspended solids). The distillate is then cooled, and is subsequently introduced into a hardness removal step, preferably an electrodeionization (EDI) treatment unit, to remove the residual hardness from the distillate. Finally, the substantially hardness free treated water stream is sent to packaged boilers, for production of high quality steam. The hardness containing stream from EDI is recycled to the evaporator feed, for further treatment.Other References
Field of SearchWATER PURIFICATION ONLYWITH MEASURING, TESTING OR INSPECTING By crystallizing Utilizing recovered heat in subsequent step in process Compressed vapor as heat source Compressed vapor as heat source FILMING OF DISTILLAND FOR VAPORIZATION AND RETURNING PRODUCT OF DISTILLATION STEP TO DISTILLATION ZONE Steam Film PROMOTING CIRCULATION APPARATUS FOR GRAINING AND SEPARATING CRYSTALS Automatic Regenerative Spraying PROCESSES Heated tube By distilling or degassing Prior to ion exchange or sorption And recirculating liquid Plural separating Separating outside of well Placing preheated fluid into formation | |
