Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
1
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING CONTAMINATED WATER
BACKGROUND ART
Hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking") is a well-known process utilized by the
oil and
gas industry to create and enlarge fractures in underground shale formations.
The fractures
allow oil and natural gas to move more freely through the shale formations and
ultimately
flow to the surface. In the fracking process, explosions are set off to create
the fractures and
then high-pressure fluid is injected into the well in order to perpetuate the
fracturing and hold
the fractures open.
The fracturing fluid is typically comprised of water containing a proppant and
chemical solution mixed therein. The fracturing fluid is often composed of
between about
98-99.5% water and sand with the additional chemical solution accounting for
about 0.5-2%.
The water includes, in significant part, freshwater that must be transported
to the well site by
tanker truck or piping. The proppant, which is often sand or a similar
material, is used to
keep the fractures from closing after the injection has stopped. The chemical
solution
includes a variety of additives having dosage rates that vary with the
location and condition
of the specific well. These additives may include, but are not limited to,
acids (e.g.,
hydrochloric acid), corrosion inhibitors (e.g., alcohols, organic acids,
polymers, sodium salt,
glycol and amide), iron control chemicals (e.g., sodium compounds and citric
acid),
antibacterial agents, biocides (e.g., gluteraldhyde, alcohols, sodium salt,
sodium hydroxide
and bromide salt), scale inhibitors (e.g., alcohols, organic acids, polymers,
sodium salt, glycol
and amide), friction reducers (e.g., polymers, hydrocarbons and water soluble
polymers),
surfactants (e.g., alcohols, glycols and hydrocarbons), gelling agents (e.g.,
guar gum,
hydrocarbons and polymers), breakers (e.g., ammonium persulfate, sodium and
potassium
salts) and crosslinkers (e.g., polyol and borax).
The fracking process typically requires between about one million and five
million
gallons of water or more per well. A portion of the water that is injected
into the well returns
to the surface as "flowback water." While the flowback water returns to the
surface over a
period of three to four weeks, most of the flowback water returns within the
first seven to ten
days. The volume of recovery is generally between about 20-60% of the volume
that was
initially injected into the well. The rest of the fluid is absorbed in the
shale formation. At a
certain point, there is a transition from primarily recovering flowback water
to primarily
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
2
recovering "produced water," which is water naturally occurring in the shale
formation that
flows to the surface over the life of the well.
Upon returning to the surface and exiting the well, the flowback water and
produced
water is generally collected in tanks, open pools or lagoons located near the
well. From
there, the flowback water and produced water is pumped into tanker trucks and
transported
from the well site to a deep disposal well where the water is placed back into
the ground.
Each disposal well typically costs several million dollars to drill and
maintain. Disposal
wells can additionally create environmental and water source contamination
concerns.
The flowback water and produced water is typically contaminated with man-made
and naturally-occurring substances. The water is contaminated with the spent
chemicals that
are mixed into the fracking water prior to its injection into the well, as
discussed above. The
water is also contaminated with naturally-occurring substances residing below
the Earth's
surface. For example, the water may have elevated levels of Kjeldahl nitrogen,
petroleum
residue, sodium, ammonia, chloride, sulfate, chloride sulfate, total dissolved
solids (TDS),
chloride, barium, strontium, boron, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene,
glycols, 2-
butoxyethanol, radionuclides such as radium isotopes (e.g., radium-226 and
radium-228),
uranium-238 and lead-210 and other naturally occurring radioactive material
("NORM")
found in the shale foimations. Additionally, some scientists believe that the
explosions
occurring during the fracturing of the shale formation set off chain reactions
that result in the
creation of radioactive material in addition to the NORM already present in
the shale
formations.
In order for the flowback water and the produced water to be reused as
fracturing
water or discharged to the environment, it must first be treated. As such, a
need exists for a
system and method for treating contaminated flowback water and produced water
such that it
can be reused and the cost and environmental concerns resulting from the
disposal wells can
be eliminated. A particular need exists for a system and method for removing
radioactive
materials from flowback water and produced water. A further need exists for a
system that is
self-contained and is mobile between well sites and may be scaled up or down
depending
upon the amount and quality of the water to be treated.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a water treatment
system that
includes a filter, an aerator, a hydrogen absorption manifold, a first
treatment container, a
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
3
second treatment container, a magnetron, a boiler, a superheater, a fractional
distillation
separator and a condenser.
The filter can be in the form of a filter compartment having a material
therein suitable
for removing chloride ions and transmutated chlorine ions from water passing
through the
system and also absorbing neutrons from the water. The material may comprise a
first filter
material suitable for removing chloride ions and a second filter material
suitable for
absorbing neutrons. The first filter material can comprise at least one of
coconut carbon,
silicon dioxide and ionized sand. The second filter material can comprise at
least one of
cadmium and bismuth. The aerator is suitable for oxygenating the water and may
be located
at an exit end of the filter compartment.
The hydrogen absorptive manifold is designed for absorbing hydrogen ions and
reducing the pH of the water. The absorptive manifold may be constructed of an
outer tube
surrounding an inner plate or tube having a plurality of fins extending
therefrom. The fins
can be constructed from gold, silver, palladium, nickel, zinc, tin, indium
and/or copper. The
fins may also be adapted for altering at least one of a phosphate, a salt, a
nitrite and a nitrate
from a reactive fotm to a nonreactive form. The absorptive manifold may
further include an
electromagnet for controlling electromagnetic radiation.
The first treatment container, which may be in the folln of a concrete
containment
basin, is in fluid communication with the absorptive manifold. The first
container may
include a voltage accelerator, such as a P dope N dope voltage accelerator,
for inducing a
charge in the water. The voltage accelerator may include a positively charged
plate and a
negatively charged plate submerged in the water within the first container.
The first
container may also include first pollutant collection substrate contained in a
hanging bag
which may include silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate and/or cadmium. An oil
snout may
further be included in the first container for capturing oil and benzene
molecules from the
water. The second treatment container, which may also be in the form of a
concrete
containment basin, is in fluid communication with the first container and may
include a
screen therein that includes at least one of nickel and calcium carbonate.
The magnetron may be adapted for altering the spins of electrons in the outer
shells of
= 30 atoms of contaminants contained in the water being treated. In one
embodiment, the
magnetron includes a clear plastic tube or pipe passing through or adjacent to
a microwave
generating device. The application of microwaves generated by the magnetron
can alter the
angular momentums of the electrons in the outer shells of the atoms of
contaminants ontained
in the water. It will be appreciated that the magnetron may reverse a spin of
the electrons in
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
4
the outer shells of the atoms contained in the water. In that regard, upon
being subjected to
microwaves in the magnetron, a spin of an electron that is originally an up
spin (ms of +1/2)
is reversed to a down spin (m, of ¨1/2), and a spin of an electron that is
originally a down
spin (m, of ¨1/2) is reversed to an up spin (ms of +1/2). The alteration or
reversal in electron
spin enables selective elements to be coated, at least partially, with a
solution so that such
elements may be precipitated from the water. A port can be located adjacent
(e.g.,
downstream) of the magnetron, the port being operable for permitting a
solution to be added
the water after the water has passed through the magnetron. The solution may
comprise at
least one of an acidic solution of ethyl diamine, tetra-acidic acid,
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, lemon juice, orange
juice, and/or lime
juice. As set forth above, it will be understood that the solution can cause
contaminants to
precipitate from the water.
In one embodiment, the system includes a heater comprised of a boiler and a
superheater. The boiler may be adapted for converting the water into a
saturated steam, while
the superheater can be designed to convert the saturated steam to a
superheated steam. The
superheated steam may be directed to a fractional distillation separator
configured for
condensing elements, including radioactive elements, by atomic mass units. The
fractional
distillation separator includes a plurality of internal plates, each having an
aperture defined
therethrough. Extending upwardly from each aperture may be a pipe that is
topped with a
dome-shaped cap configured for condensing elements by atomic mass units. The
condensed
elements may flow from the fractional distillation separator via apertures
defined in an outer
shell adjacent the caps. The system may further include a condenser in fluid
communication
with an outlet of the fractional distillation separator for condensing the
steam flowing from
the fractional distillation separator.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for treating
contaminated water including the steps of: collecting contaminated water,
filtering the water
to remove hydrogen ions, directing the water through an absorptive manifold to
absorb
hydrogen ions and removal of neutrons and inducing a charge in the water with
a voltage
accelerator.
The method may also include the steps of: passing the water through a
magnetron
device and adding a solution to the water thereafter for coating selective
elements with the
solution so that such elements will precipitate from the water. The method may
also include
the steps of: boiling the water to create saturated steam, heating the
saturated steam to convert
the saturated steam to a superheated steam, introducing the superheated steam
to a fractional
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
distillation separator, separating contaminants from the superheated steam in
the fractional
distillation separator and condensing the steam upon discharge from the
fractional distillation
separator.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from
the
5
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the
accompanying drawing
figures.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are
to be
read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to
indicate like or
similar parts in the various views:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a system for treating contaminated water in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of a system for treating contaminated water in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of a clarifier and an absorptive
manifold for
reducing the pH of water in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 4A is a schematic sectional side view of an absorptive manifold for
reducing the
pH of water in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4B is a schematic sectional end view of an absorptive manifold for
reducing the
pH of water in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a superheater component for a system for
treating
contaminated water in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a fractional distillation column for a system
for treating
contaminated water in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7A is a sectional side view of a condensing unit in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7B is a sectional end view of a condensing unit in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is an overhead schematic layout of a multiple drilling site operation
including a
central water treatment plant in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
and
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
6
Fig. 9 is an overhead schematic layout of a multiple drilling site operation
including a
central water treatment plant in accordance with another embodiment of the
present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in
which
like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of
clarity in illustrating
the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of
the elements have
not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be understood
that some of the
drawing figures depict a working, batch-scale, pilot embodiment. As set forth
below, the
water treatment system of the present invention can be scaled up to meet the
throughput
requirements associated with treating contaminated water in various large-
scale scenarios.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific
embodiments
in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to
describe aspects
of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to
practice the invention.
Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing
from the
scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the
appended claims and
the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall
not limit the scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The entire disclosures of pending U.S. Patent Application No. 13/627,765,
filed on
September 26, 2012 to Wayne R. Hawks entitled "Self-Container Irrigation
Treatment
System" and U.S. Application Serial No. 13/219,080, filed on August 26, 2011
to Wayne R.
Hawks entitled "Self-Container Irrigation Treatment System" are incorporated
herein by
reference. The terms "contaminated water" and "water," when used independently
of any
adjectives herein, shall refer to either one or all of fracking water,
flowback water, produced
water or other contaminated water treated by the system of the present
invention.
Figs. 1 and 2 generally illustrate one embodiment of the system 10 of the
present
invention, which may optionally be contained within one or more mobile semi-
trailers 12.
Alternatively, the system 10 may be stationary or may be transportable through
various other
modes, including but not limited to, trucks, trains, planes, boats and barges.
As illustrated, the system 10 is normally located adjacent a source of
contaminated
water 14, which may come directly from a well or may be contained within one
or more
tanks, barrels, open pools, lagoons or ponds near the well. The source of
water 14 may
include fracking water, flowback water, produced water, water used in coal
production and
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
7
dust control, water used in coal-fired power plants, water used in nuclear
power plants, water
from contaminated reservoirs, ponds, rivers and streams or any other source of
contaminated
water. A pump 16 may be provided to transport the contaminated water into the
system 10.
In other embodiments, the system 10 can be positioned at a location having an
elevation
lower than that of the contaminated water so that the contaminated water may
flow into the
system 10 via gravity.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the system 10 may include a filter or clarifier 18
comprising a
tapered canister or filter compartment 20 that contains coconut carbon (i.e.,
activated carbon
made from coconut shells), ionized silicon dioxide (i.e, Si02 or sand) and/or
cadmium (Cd)
for removing chloride and transmutated chlorine ions (a) and absorbing any
neutrons. The
cadmium acts as a neutron absorber and the sand, which is silicon dioxide,
ties up chlorine
ions. In one embodiment, multiple sources of water may, either simultaneously
or
independently, flow into the clarifier 18 through a plurality of spouts. These
sources of water
may include, but are not limited to, fracking water, flowback water, produced
water,
processed water or water from any other source. The flow from each of these
sources may be
controlled at different rates in order to achieve a consistency of water
required for processing
by the system 10.
In one embodiment, the clarifier 18 may divided into three sections ¨ an upper
section
152, a middle section 154 and a lower section 156 ¨ defined by dividers 158
that may be
constructed from a stainless steel mesh material, for example.
As shown, the upper section 152 of the clarifier 18 comprises one or more
substrate
bags 160 having coconut carbon therein. The bags 160 with coconut carbon may
be located
around an exterior of the upper section 152. One or more bags 162 containing
ionized silicon
dioxide may be located at an interior of the upper section 152 for absorbing
chlorine ions and
slowing neutron action. Finally, one or more bags 164 containing graphite,
which acts as a
moderator, may be located between the bags 160 of coconut carbon and bags 162
of ionized
silicon dioxide.
As depicted, a substrate bag 166 containing cadmium is located in the middle
section
154 of the clarifier 18. The cadmium, which acts as a neutron absorber, can be
arranged in a
plurality of layers within the bag 166.
As illustrated, the lower section 156 of the clarifier 18 includes a sheet 168
of gold
(Au), a sheet 170 of bismuth (Bi) and a sheet 172 of silver (Ag). The gold
sheet 168 is non-
reactive to neutrons and allows neutrons to pass therethrough. Any neutrons
that are not
absorbed by the cadmium in the middle section 154 may be absorbed by the sheet
170 of
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
8
bismuth in the lower section 156. Over time, the sheet 170 of bismuth will
convert to
polonium. The polonium will then transmutate into lead, which is stable.
When the water exits the clarifier 18, it may enter a hydrogen absorptive
manifold
174 adapted for absorbing hydrogen ions and reducing the pH of the water. The
hydrogen
absorptive manifold 174 can be placed downstream of and in communication with
an exit end
24 of the filter compartment 20. In one embodiment, as best illustrated in
Fig. 3, the
manifold 174 includes a generally vertical section 176 and a generally
horizontal section 178.
The vertical section 176 of the manifold 174 may include an outer pipe 180,
which
may be formed of copper (Cu) or other suitable material, surrounding an inner
plate or tube
182, which also may be formed of copper or other suitable material. A
plurality of gold fins
184 and a plurality of palladium (Pd) fins 186 can extend from the inner plate
or tube 182
within an interior of the manifold 174. The outer copper pipe 180 may be
effective for
absorbing and concentrating hydrogen ions onto the palladium fins 186.
The horizontal section 178 of the manifold 174 may comprise an outer pipe 28,
which
may be formed of copper or other suitable material, surrounding an inner plate
or tube 30,
which also may be formed of copper or other suitable material. The inner plate
or tube 30
may be a tube cut in half having a length generally equivalent to that of the
outer pipe 28. A
plurality of fins 32 can extend from the inner plate or tube 30. The fins 32
can be constructed
of one or more of various materials, for example, gold, silver, palladium,
nickel (Ni), zinc
(Zn), tin (Sn), indium (In), bismuth and copper. The fins 32 serve as hydrogen
ion (H+)
absorbers to reduce the pH in the contaminated water. In one embodiment, the
pH of the
water is reduced to below 7.0, preferably between about 6.4 and 6.8, in the
manifold, which
helps to prevent calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3)
from
precipitating out and collecting on the fins 32 thereby allowing the fins to
remain clean for
transforming reactive pollutants into stable ions and compounds. The fins 32
can also act to
change or alter phosphates, salts, nitrites, nitrates and other reactive
polluting contaminants
from a reactive form to a nonreactive form. Further, the fins 32 may act as a
catalyst to
increase soluble oxygen in the water, which causes anaerobic bacteria to be
destroyed, as
anaerobic bacteria cannot survive in an increased oxygen supply in water.
Therefore, with
the increased oxygen, the anaerobic bacteria are prevented from growing and
proliferating,
which could have an adverse effect on the chemical processing of a frack well.
As illustrated
in Figs. 3 and 4A, one or more ferromagnets 188 may be arranged within the
horizontal pipe
30 in order to attract ferromagnetic elements. By stabilizing the magnetic
spin of electrons at
the atomic level, the spinning electrons in the Ms orbital subshell may be
controlled. In
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
9
achieving this stability, the Ms subshell may be altered when the water is
introduced into a P
dope N dope voltage accelerator, as discussed in greater detail below.
In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, at least part of the manifold 174, for
example
the horizontal section 178, may include an electromagnet 34 in order to
control
electronmagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, for example in a batch-scale,
pilot
embodiment, the outer tube 28 is a 4-inch Type M copper pipe and the
electromagnet 34 is
attached to the inside of a 3-inch one half pipe at the highest pollution
level water line. In
this embodiment, the plate 30 can be a 3-inch diameter Type M copper pipe of
generally
equivalent length cut in half, as shown in Figs. 3-4B.
In another embodiment, the hydrogen absorptive manifold 174 may comprise
multiple
vertically-stacked, perforated plates of various materials, for example, gold,
silver, palladium,
nickel, zinc, tin, indium, bismuth and copper. In one embodiment, the plates
are constructed
of thin sheets of gold, silver and bismuth. The plates may be contained in a
pipe constructed
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other suitable material. The perforations in
the various plates
are not necessarily aligned with one another, in one embodiment, such that the
water is
required to flow across each plate as it is transferred through the hydrogen
absorptive
manifold 174. The plates can be adapted for replacement on a periodic basis.
An aerator 22 may be placed adjacent the exit end 24 of the filter compartment
20 in
order to oxygenate the water as it flows from the clarifier 18.
As demonstrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the system 10 can include a first container
36, such
as a concrete containment basin (CCB) or other suitable barrel or tank, that
has a P dope N
dope voltage accelerator or regulator 38 associated therewith. The first
container 36 is in
fluid communication with the hydrogen absorptive manifold 174. After passing
through the
manifold 174, the water may then be directed to the first container 36. As
shown in Figs. 1
and 2, the voltage accelerator 38 may comprise a positively-charged cathode 40
connected to
a positively-charged plate 42 and a negatively-charged anode 44 connected to a
negatively-
charged plate 46. The plates 42 and 46 are submerged in the water located in
the first
container 36 to induce a low voltage DC current through the water. The charge
may be either
6V or 12V and have an amperage of 2, 10, 40 or 200 amperes, for example. By
creating a
charge on the dielectric constant, electrons are moved from one level to
another in order to
alter the atomic structure of each element and alter electron interaction.
Optionally, light of
various frequencies (and thus various colors) may be emitted into the water in
container 36.
In one embodiment, an ultraviolet light emitting device is located proximate
the bottom of the
container 36 and a red light emitting device is located proximate the top of
the container 36.
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
The first container 36 can also include a filter 48 which may be in the form
of a
hanging bag containing pollutant collection substrates such as silicon dioxide
(Si02), calcium
carbonate (CaCO3) and cadmium (Cd) to absorb chloride ions (co and neutrons,
including
neutrons of barium (Ba). The container 36 may further comprise an oil snout 50
in
5 connection with its discharge orifice or port 52, as shown in Fig. 1. As
water passes through
the oil snout 50, the oil snout 50 separates and captures oil and benzene
(C6H6) molecules
from the water. The oil and benzene collected by the oil snout 50 may be
diverted to a
container or barrel (not shown) and stored for later transportation, disposal
or reuse.
A second container 54, such as a CCB or other suitable barrel or tank, may be
10 provided downstream of and in fluid communication with the first
container 36. Upon
exiting the first container 36, the water may then pass in the second
container 54. The second
container 54 can include a stainless steel screen filter 56 through which the
water passes for
absorption separation and/or filtration of bacteria. The screen filter 56 may
further comprise
a variety of elements and compounds, such as nickel (Ni) and calcium carbonate
(CaCO3).
Additionally, the second container 54 may also include another filter (not
shown) which, like
filter 48, may be in the form of a hanging bag containing pollutant collection
substrates such
as silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate and cadmium to absorb chloride ions and
neutrons,
including neutrons of barium. Furthermore, the second container 54 can also
include
seashells located therein.
From the second container 54, the water can be directed through a magnetron
190.
The magnetron 190 generates a magnetic field which interacts with polluting
elements in the
water as it passes through the magnetron 190. The magnetron 190 may comprise a
clear
plastic pipe or tube 192 passing either through or adjacent to a microwave
generating device
of the magnetron 190. The tube 190 directs water through or adjacent to the
microwave
generating device. By bombarding the atoms of contaminants within the water
with
microwaves, the magnetron 190 alters the intrinsic angular momentum of the
electrons in the
outer or subatomic shell or subshell of those atoms. In other words, the
magnetron 190 alters
the fourth quantum number (i.e., spin projection quantum number, m,) of the
electrons in the
outer or subatomic shell of those atoms. Prior to being subjected to the
microwaves, those
electrons have an initial spin of either +1/2 or ¨1/2, corresponding with
"spin" (i.e., "spin
up") and "opposite spin" (i.e., "spin down"), respectively due to Pauli's
exclusion principle.
The magnetron 190 alters those spins and, in one embodiment, reverses those
spins. As such,
in one embodiment, electrons having an initial up spin (i.e., m, of +1/2) are
reversed to a
down spin (i.e., m, of ¨1/2). Similarly, electrons having an initial down spin
(i.e., m, of ¨1/2)
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
11
are reversed to an up spin (i.e., in, of +1/2). With this alteration in spin,
chemicals can be
added to the water in the return tank 60 resulting in the precipitation of
certain elements and
contaminants in the water. The manipulation in spin allows for the coating of
certain
elements, which results in their precipitation.
In a batch-scale, pilot embodiment, the microwave generating device of the
magnetron 190 may be, for example, a household microwave (such as Hamilton
Beach
Model P1 00N3OALS3B, 120V, 60Hz, single phase, having an output of 1,000 W,
2,450
MHz). In larger-scale embodiments, larger microwave generating devices can be
implemented.
From the magnetron 190, the water can be pumped into the return tank 60. The
return
tank 60 may include a port 204 through which chemicals or solutions may be
added to the
water. Since the spin of the electrons in the outer or subatomic shell of the
atoms within the
water have been altered or reversed by the magnetron 190, the added solution
can affect the
precipitation of the certain elements and contaminants in the water. In one
embodiment, the
solution added to the water via the port 204 may comprise an acidic solution
of ethyl
diarnine, tetra-acidic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or
citric acid, as is
present in, for example, lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice and other
citric fruits. The
solution may also comprise distilled water. The volume of the various acids
added to the
water is dependent upon the type and amount of contaminants in the water. The
addition of
these acids can disrupt the polar covalent bonds of the polluted water. These
acids act as
chelating agents and bind metals together for further chemical reactions.
The return tank 60 can also include a port through which the tank 60 may be
pressurized by a compressed gas, such as CO2, 02 or the like. Oxygen may also
be supplied
to the water in the return tank 60. As mentioned above, an increase in soluble
oxygen in the
water causes anaerobic bacteria to be destroyed, as anaerobic bacteria cannot
survive in such
an environment. Therefore, the anaerobic bacteria are prevented from growing
and
proliferating, which could have an adverse effect on the chemical processing
of a frack well.
Further, the return tank 60 may include a float that, when reaching a
predetermined
level, will activate a pump and/or valve 58, which may be in communication
with the second
container 54, to transfer additional water into the return tank 60. The float
system of the
return tank 60 may be, for example Model 21 or Model 221 manufactured by ITT
McDonnell
and Miller. The magnetron 190 may be wired in series with the pump 58 such
that when the
pump 58 is activated, the magnetron 190 is activated. The return tank 60 can
also include a
pump 194 in communication therewith for pumping water into the boiler 62. When
the boiler
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
12
62 reaches a predetermined water level and requires additional water, the pump
194 is
activated in order to pump water from the return tank 60 to the boiler 62.
The boiler 62 may be any suitable boiler and, in the illustrated batch-scale,
pilot
embodiment, is a Columbia Boiler Company CT-6/10 Steam Boiler with PowerFlame
JR-
15A-10 Burner. The boiler 62 boils the water to create steam, which then flows
into a steam
super heater 64. Whenever the system 10 is shut down, steam from the boiler 62
can be
diverted to the blow down tank 206.
Once in the superheater 64, the saturated steam from the boiler 62 is heated
to a
temperature of between about 600 F and 1,200 F to prepare it for fractional
separation. In
one embodiment, the saturated steam is heated to a temperature of
approximately 900 F. It
will be appreciated that the superheater 64 may elevate the steam by 25 C or
more.
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the superheater 64 comprises an inner pipe 66
located inside
of an outer pipe 68, both of which may be constructed of stainless steel or
other suitable
material. The inner pipe 66 can include a plurality of circular gaskets 70 for
flame
dissipation of heat. A source of heat 72 can be inserted into a holder 74
attached proximate
an upstream end of the outer pipe 68. Advantageously, a temperature
differential in the
steam between the entrance 76 of the superheater 64 and its exit 78 is
created. To measure
this temperature differential, thermometers 80 and 82 or other suitable
temperature measuring
devices may be positioned at each end 76 and 78 of the superheater 64 and
optionally at
locations therebetween. In order to further distribute heat evenly throughout
the length of the
superheater 64, a vacuum fan 84 may be connected proximate a downstream end of
the
superheater 64 as well. The fan 84 blows air through conduit 196, which
exhausts via
conduit 198, thereby creating a vacuum at the downstream end of the super
heater 64 to pull
heat from the heat source 72 through the super heater 64.
From the superheater 64, the superheated steam, which may be approximately 900
F,
passes into a fractional distillation separator or column 86 through an inlet
aperture 88
proximate a lower end of an outer shell 90. The fractional distillation column
86 is
schematically illustrated in Fig. 6. The column 86 includes a plurality of
internal plates or
trays 92 having apertures 94 defined therethrough. Extending upwardly from
each aperture
94 may be a pipe 96. A dome-shaped cap 98 may be welded or otherwise attached
to a top
end of each pipe 96. The caps 98 are configured for condensing elements by
atomic mass
units (amu). The condensed elements 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d may include
heavy metals
and/or radioactive materials, such as radium-226, radium-228, uranium-238 and
uranium-
235, for example. The condensed contaminants 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d flow
out of the
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
13
column 86 via apertures 102 and are collected in one or more catch containers
104 where
they are stored for later removal, transportation and proper disposal. Other
contaminates 106
may be discharged from the fractional distillation column 86 through a lower
aperture 108 or
bleed off port. The column outer shell 90, plates 92, pipes 96 and caps 98 may
all be
constructed of stainless steel or another suitable metallic material.
Purified steam can flow from an outlet aperture 110 proximate an upper end of
the
fractional distillation column 86 to into a condenser or heat exchanger 112
that may include
two or more condensing units 114 organized in series or parallel for increased
efficiency.
The heat exchanger 112 may be a double pipe heat exchanger now known or
hereafter
developed, a shell and tube type heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of
heat exchanger,
and may operate similarly to heat exchangers commonly known in the art. Like
the other
components of the illustrated system 10, the heat exchanger 112 may be scaled
up for use in a
larger-scale system. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the heated steam enters the
first end 200 of
the heat exchanger 112, is transferred from the first condensing unit 114 to
the second
condensing unit 114, and then exists the second end 202 of the heat exchanger
112. Cooling
liquid can be provided to the heat exchanger 112 and may flow in an
arrangement that is
parallel to, counter to, or cross or perpendicular to the flow of the fluid
(i.e., steam and/or
water) being cooled and condensed. Upon exiting the heat exchanger 112, the
fluid flowing
therethrough has been condensed from a steam to a liquid. Once condensed, the
purified
water may be between about 85 F and 110 F, for example.
Upon existing the heat exchanger 112, the water may be collected in a tank
116,
which may have three outlets 118, 120 and 122. A first outlet 118 may be
connected to a test
tank 124 containing one or more living organisms, such as fish, for
observation of the effects
of the treated water on the living organisms in order to assist in monitoring
the effectiveness
of the treatment process by allowing observation of the living organisms'
behavior and health
in the treated water. A second outlet 120 can be connected to a line 126 that
delivers the
water back to the return tank 60 discussed above if it is determined that
additional processing
of the water is necessary for increased purification levels. At this point CO2
or 02 under low
pressure may be injected into the return tank 60 through a control orifice for
chemical
adjustments of the polluted water. The water may be cycled through the boiler
62,
superheater 64 and fractional distillation column 86 as many times as
necessary to treat the
water. Depending upon the flow rate of water entering the return tank 60 from
the magnetron
190 and the flow rate of the water entering the return tank 60 from the return
line 126, the
float system may prohibit flow from either the magnetron 190 or return line
126. Typically,
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
14
if the combined flow rates exceed the system's capacity, flow from the
magnetron 190 is
prohibited or restricted if necessary. A third outlet 122 is connected to an
exterior faucet 128
for connection to a tank truck or directly back to the fracking water supply
system for reuse,
if desired.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the configuration of
one or more
of the systems 10. Multiple water treatment systems 10, as described herein,
may be placed
in series or parallel. The system 10 is readily scalable by adding similarly
equipped trailers
12 to the system 10. When multiple trailers 12 are utilized, some of the
system's 10
components may be located on one trailer 12, while other of the system's 10
components may
be located on other trailers 12. The water treatment system 10 of the present
invention may
be centrally located for use by multiple well sites. Furthermore, it will be
appreciated that the
system 10 of the present invention can be suitable for treating any water, not
just fracking
water, flowback water and produced water from hydraulic fracturing operations.
As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, one or more of the water treatment systems 10
of the
present invention may be centrally located for use by multiple well sites 130
or locations.
Figs. 8 and 8 each depict an area of land 132 that may consist of a plurality
of square miles or
sections 134. In one embodiment, the area of land 132 includes twenty-four
(24) square mile
sections 134. Each section 134 can include one or more well sites 130 having a
well drilled
thereon, as represented by sections 134a, 134b and 134c. In one embodiment,
the area of
land 132 includes sixty-four (64) well sites 130; however, it will be
understood that any
number of well sites 130 may be located within the area of land 132.
As demonstrated in Fig. 8, a central water treatment facility or plant 136 may
be
adapted and scaled for treating the contaminated water (e.g., fracking water,
flowback water,
produced water, etc.) associated with each of the well sites 130. The central
plant 136
comprises one or more of the systems 10 of the present invention and may be
set up on a
mobile, temporary, semi-permanent or permanent basis, as desired. The water
from each
well site 130 may be transported to the central plant 136 by any suitable
means, including but
not limited to, piping, trench, channel, tanker truck or railcar. As
illustrated by the well sites
130 placed on section 134a, the water from each of the well sites 130 may be
transported to
the central plant 136 via pipes 138, 140 and 142. Optionally, one or more
satellite centers
144 and 146 are provided where the water may be collected from multiple well
sites 130 for
further transportation to a central plant 136. In one embodiment, the
satellite centers 144 and
146 may suitably equipped for undertaking a portion of the water treatment
process prior to
the water being further transported to the central plant 136. The pipes 138
transporting the
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
water from the well sites 130 to the satellite centers 144 and 146 may be of
one diameter
(e.g., 4 inch), while the pipes 140 and 142 transporting the water from
satellite centers 144
and 146 to the central plant 136 may of another, larger diameter (e.g., 8
inch). As depicted in
Fig. 8, the need for disposal wells 148 can be eliminated, as represented by
each disposal well
5 148 having an "X" placed thereon. In the example shown, twelve (12)
disposal wells 148 are
eliminated.
Upon the water being treated at the central plant 136, the water may
transported back
to other well sites 130, for example via the pipes 142, 140 and 138, for use
in the fracking
process at those other well sites 130. In other words, the treated water may
leave the central
10 plant
via a pipe 142, arrive at a first satellite center 146, be directed from the
first satellite
center 146 to a second satellite center 144 via a pipe 140, and then be
directed from the
second satellite center 144 to a well site 130 that is ready for fracking via
a pipe 138. As
such, the water may be used at one well site 130, be treated at the central
plant 136, and then
used again at another well site 130 upon treatment. Alternatively, the treated
water may be
15 discharged from the central plant 136 to a stream or other body of water
or otherwise
transported from the central plant 136 upon treatment.
Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment wherein the central plant 136 is located
at the
center of the area of land 132. Initial processing stations 150, which may in
the foi In of a
filtering truck for example, may be provided for initial treatment of the
water prior to the
water being transported to the central plant 136. These initial processing
stations 150 may
take the place of, or be similar in nature to, the satellite centers 144. Like
the embodiment
shown in Fig. 8, the embodiment of Fig. 9 may also eliminate the need for
disposal wells 148.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to
attain all
the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages
which are obvious
and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain
features and sub
combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other
features and sub
combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many
possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the
scope
thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or
shown in the
accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
It will also be
appreciated the components of the system need not be in the order shown in the
figures and
described above. Rather, depending upon the water to be treated, the
components may be
aligned or arranged in a different order. In some embodiments, some of the
components may
be bypassed if certain types of treatment are not necessary. In other
embodiments, the water
CA 02925261 2016-03-23
WO 2015/042597
PCT/US2014/057034
16
may be cycled through one or more of the components multiple times in order to
achieve
necessary purification levels.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are
presented by
way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles
of the present
invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a
novel
invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of
the present
invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples
illustrated herein, and it is
therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or
equivalents thereof, will
occur to those skilled in the art. The terms "having" and "including" and
similar terms as
used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of "optional" or
"may include" and
not as "required". Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and
applications
of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in
the art after
considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart
from the spirit
and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is
limited only
by the claims which follow.
