Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
BACKGROUND:
e =
[0002] Fracking of oil and gas wells uses considerable amounts
of fresh water which must be hauled to well sites or sourced
from ponds, lagoons, streams, rivers, aquifers, etc. The average
amount of water used in standard size fracking site is
approximately 90,000 m/3. These fluids are usually sourced
near the well site, water that otherwise could be used for
irrigation, agricultural or human consumption. Chemicals are
often mixed with the water to produce fluids with the needed
characteristics needed for the fracking process. The fluids
recovered from the fracking process cannot be released to the
environment due to the chemicals added to the water initially
and the substances and solids that the fluids can collect during
the fracking process, substances such as sodium and chlorides.
The recovered fluids must be processed to remove the
chemicals, substances, solids and other impurities from the
fluids that can collect during the fracking process. The
recovered fluids must be processed to remove the chemicals,
substances, solids and other impurities from the fluids before
the water can be safely returned to the environment or be used
for irrigation, agricultural or human consumption. This means
hauling the fluids from the well site to off-site water processing
centers.
[0003] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a system that can
process these fluids from frackhig operations without the need
of hauling large amounts of water and fluids to and from well
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
sites, it is not uncommon to see four hundred truckloads of
fluid removed from a well site. This system reduces the amount
of fresh water used in fracking operations, and minimizes the
environmental impact of fracking operations, generally.
DESCRIPTION:
[0004] A method and a system is provided for processing or
recycling fluids produced from the fracking of oil and natural
gas wells, wherein the fluids can be recycled or reused in the
fracking process, or be returned to the environment in a safe
manner.
[00005] The methods and systems set forth herein are
described in more detail in the documents attached hereto as
Appendix [A] and Appendix [B].
[0006] Broadly stated, in some embodiments ,a method can be
provided for processing fluids from fracking operations, the
method comprising the steps of: removing first suspended
solids from the fluids; then removing hydrogen sulfide from the
fluids; then separating oil from the fluids; then removing
sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate particles from the
fluids. And then filtering and polishing the fluids to produce a
clean safe fluid.
[0007] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can
further comprise the step of evaporating the clean fluids into a
vapor form for release into the environment.
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
[0008] Broadly stated ,in some embodiments ,the method can
be provided for recycling process fluids from fracking
operations, the method comprising the steps of: removing first
suspended solids from the fluids; then removing hydrogen
sulfide from the fluids; then separating oil from the fluids; then
removing dissolved particles such as sodium, calcium,
magnesium and phosphates from the fluids; then filtering and
polishing the fluids to produce a clean safe fluid for future use
in a fracking operation.
[0009] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can
further comprise the step of removing first solids, further
comprise the steps of removing sand and silt from the fluids
[0010] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can
further comprise the step of removing hydrogen sulfide, further
comprise the steps of removing hydrogen sulfide liquid and
hydrogen and sulfur vapor from the fluids.
[0011] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can
further comprise the step of passing the hydrogen vapor
through a hydrogen vapor active carbon scrubber.
[0012] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can
further comprise the step of storing the recovered oil from the
fluids.
[0013] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can
further comprise the step of removing the sodium and
phosphate particle from the fluids, further comprise the steps
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
of adding aluminum phosphate and a coagulant enhancer, flash
mixing and destabilizing the particles, then passing the results
to a flocculation tank. The method can further comprise of slow
mixing in a heated flocculation lank allowing further
flocculation to continue, here a particle density enhancer will
be added and chemical action will take place, soda ash and lime
will be added here, temporary hardness such as calcium and
magnesium will precipitate and be removed from the fluids.
[0014] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the mixture will
enter a clarifier where a lamella clarifier will continue to
remove dissolved particles usually unattainable. This happens
due to the weight and density of the particles.
[0015] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the methods can
further comprise the step filtering and removing of small
particles from the fluid.
[0016] Broadly stated in some embodiments, the further
method can comprise the steps entering a resin bank
comprised of IEX RESINS. Here sodium particles will be
adsorbed onto the resin particles later to be desorbed with
warm water. Here the resins beads will accept a large amount
of sodium adsorbed into particles since the temporary hardness
was removed in the flocculation step, there is competing sites
on the resin, so with the temporary hardness removed, sodium
and chlorides can be adsorbed effectively. To further the step a
vessel comprising of a mixed bed of resins comprising of anion
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
and cation beads will polish the water to a low level of
contaminates.
[0016] Broadly stated, in some embodiments the method can
further comprise the step of entering the humidification
dehumidification section. In his step the fluids enter a surface
condenser and two enclosed water towers, here solar heated
evacuated tubes, air currents and heat will distill the fluids
where total separation of dissolved particles and suspended
particles will commence. A fluid with a very low level of
contamination will leave the humidification dehumidification
section.
[0017] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a system can be
provided for processing fluids from fracking operations and
produced fluid operations, the system comprising: means for
removing solids from the fluids; means for removing hydrogen
sulfide from the fluids; mewls tor separating oil from the fluids;
means for removing sodium particles and phosphate solids
from the fluids; means for separating fluids with a resin bank to
remove any further dissolved impurities; means of filtering the
fluids to produce clean usable product such as water.
[0018] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise means for evaporating the clean fluids into
vapor for release into the environment.
[0018] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a system can be
provided for recycling fluids produced from fracking operations,
the system comprising: means for removing hydrogen sulfide
. .
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
from the fluids; means for separating oil from the fluids; means
for removing sodium particles ,phosphate particles, calcium and
magnesium; means for adsorbing dissolved particle in a packed
resin bank; means for filtering and polishing the fluids; and
means for using the fluids the clean fluids for fracking
a .
operations.
[0020] Broadly stated, in means embodiments, the system can
further comprise means for removing hydrogen sulfide liquid
and vapor from the fluids.
[0021] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise a hydrogen sulfide carbon vapor scrubber
[0022] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise means for removing oil from the fluids and
storing the separated storing oil.
[0023] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise a flocculation4 coagulation and settling tank
and a centrifuge to produce centrifuged fluids and second
solids to be recycled.
[0026] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise a conveyer for conveying the second solids
from at least one centrifuge.
[0027] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise a de-silter, de-sander and at least one vertical
filter configured for removing normally occurring radioactive
materials, hydrocarbons and any remaining hydrocarbon s and
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
any remaining hydrogen sulfide left in the fluids to produce the
clean fluids.
[0028] Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the system can
further comprise a holding tank for storing the clean fluids.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0029] Figure 1 is a 9 page P&ID diagram depicting one
embodiment of a system for processing fluids produced from
fracking operations
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] In some embodiments, fluids containing dissolved solids
can be passed through a water treatment plant as shown in
figure 1, step 1, sheet 1/9. In some embodiments, fluids can
pass through step 1, wherein suspended solids can be removed
by a sand filter /and or passing through a desander IDS-1001, as
well known to those skilled in the art ,to remove the total
o =
suspended solids [tss]
[0031] Figure 1, step 2, sheet 2/9. Oil coalescer separating
vessels remove oil from the fluids to be contained {V-200,V-
201}.
[0032] Figure 1, step 3, sheet 3/9. Hydrogen sulfide will be
removed from the fluid with in the H2S vessels {V-400,V-401}
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
[0033] Figure 1, step 4, sheet 4/9. Hydrocarbons {HC} can be
removed along with most organic pollutants, this is performed
in the activated carbon vessels {V-500,V-501}.
[0034] Figure 1, step 5, sheet 5/9. Any dissolved solids can be
precipitated and removed by mixing fluids with a flocculant and
flocculant enhancer in a coagulation tank {CF-600}. With pH
adjustment, added heat in the next flocculation tank the {TDS}
will be greatly reduced. Further in step 5 is a settling tank, the
temporary hardness will settle out in rapid time precipitating
out the calcium and magnesium. The solids from step 5 will be
dried, separated and processed for recycling.
[0035] Figure 1, step 6, sheet 6/9. Fluids from step 5 are further
cleaned by passing through a dual media, organic particle filter,
{F-700}. The solids are dewatered through centrifuging {C-700}
and any remaining fluids are put back in the process to join the
originating fluids at {F-700}.
[0036] Figure 1, step 7, sheet 7/9 and sheet 8/9. Fluids from
step 6 can be further desalinptqd with sodium and chlorides
removed with the IEX resin bank {R-800,R-801} and mixed bed
resin bank {R-900} followed by a fines filter {F-900}.
[0037] Figure 1, step 8, sheet 9/9. Fluids will further be
processed and desalinated to a low level of any contamination
with a humidification, dehumidification system. This will be a
system using a heated air warmed with a solar evacuated tube
heater. Also the use of 2 enclosed cooling towers and a surface
condenser.
CA 2968397 2017-05-26
Although the embodiments have been shown and described, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments
without changing or departing from their scope, intent or
functionality. The term and expressions used in the preceding
specifications have been used herein as terms of description
and not of limitations, and there is no invention in the use of
such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the
features shown and described or portions thereof, it being
recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the
claims declared.
