ECUELA POLITÉCNICA NACIONAL

INGENERÍA EN PETRÓLEOS
PRODUCED WATER TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Cristina Morillo 27-07-2017

METHODS OF DESALINATION OF WATER FORMATION

“Desalination is a process that extracts minerals from saline water. More generally, desalination refers
to the removal of salts and minerals from a target substance, as in soil desalination, which is an issue for
agriculture” (Wikipedia, 2017). Several technologies are currently being used to desalinate the
formation water. These technologies are basically divided into two general categories: thermal
processes and membrane processes.

Membrane Technology

Reverse Osmosis
This is the most widely used systems today. “The process consists of separating the water by reversing
the process of osmosis current exerting a pressure higher than the osmotic pressure. With this system
can be recovered ⅓ part of the water that is treated.” ( Econet, 2016) The RO membrane processes use
semipermeable membranes and applied pressure to preferentially induce water permeation through
the membrane while rejecting salts.

Distillation or evaporation techniques

Thermal desalination
This process is carried out from the evaporation and subsequent condensation of the water. This makes
it possible to separate the salt. (Econet, 2016)

Distillation
It is similar to thermal desalination but is performed in several stages in which the temperature and
pressure are descending. They operate below atmospheric pressure and require a vacuum pump to
extract the resulting potable water. (Econet, 2016) The distillation water goes through several stages
where the salt water evaporates and condenses in fresh water.

Formation of hydrates
It is achieved through the application of hydrocarbons that crystallize the salt and subsequently
separate. It is one of the most laborious and costly processes along with freezing. (Econet, 2016) This
process is not widely used.

Bibliografía
 Econet. (2016). Métodos de desalinización . Recuperado el 26 de Julio de 2017, de Econet:
http://www.econetdesatascos.com/es/blog/metodos-desalinizacion-agua-de-mar/211

 Wikipedia. (24 de Julio de 2017). Desalination. Recuperado el 26 de Julio de 2017, de

Wikipedia: https://www.facebook.com/AccionProgresoIntegracion/