BASIC STEPS OF WATER TREATMENT

Dissolved gases removal --Solids removal--Disperse oil removal—Others

Dissolved gas removal (O2, CO2 y H2S)
Are removed for: •Reducing corrosion •Reduce bacterial growth •Maintain physico-
Chemical properties
Mechanical Process: Factors: Dalton ś law(partial pressures)

Henry ś law : The solubility of gas obeys Henry's law, that is, the amount of a dissolved gas in a
liquid is proportional to its partial pressure. Therefore, placing a solution under reduced
pressure makes the dissolved gas less soluble.

•Temperature :Higher temperatura less disolved gases

Oxygen Important to be removed due to:

•Highly corrosive • Favour bacterial growth •Highly reactive ( oxidizer )

Oxygenstripping-Mechanical: Heaters/boilers increase in temperatura, reduces disolved

oxygen •Gas stripping: Nitrogen, Natural Gas.. Control foaming •Vacuum de-aereation,
Reduce total pressure

Oxygen stripping-Chemical: Apply oxygen“scavengers” Sodium sulphite(cat. Cobaltions) ,

Sodium bisulfite, Ammonium bisulfite, Sulphure dioxide Others: Sodium Hydrosulphite
(sistems rich in H2S) , Hydrazine (high temperatures)

Other factors that can affect “scavenger” performance •Temperature•Calcium ions •H2S
•Treatment chemicals( chlorine , chelating agents, biocides, scale inhibitors)

Gas blanket : A gas phase maintained above a liquid in a vessel to protect the liquid against air
contamination, to reduce the hazard of detonation or to pressurize the liquid. The gas source
is located outside the vessel.

H2S Removal-Chemical : Chlorine, Chlorine dioxide, Hydrogen proxide, Aldehides(Biocide,

Compatible with scavengers), Acroleine, Formaldehyde

CO2 Removal Depends on pH •Aereation removes CO2 but causes other problems•Gas
removal using vacuum.
 PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES II

-Removing disolved/dispersed solids –

Decantation: is a process for the separation of mixtures, by removing a layer of liquid,

generally one from which a precipitate has settled.

Floculation: is a process wherein colloids come out of suspension in the form of floc or flake,
either spontaneously or due to the addition of a clarifying agent.

Filtration: Use of membranes and filtrating substrates, Countless substrates for filtration, Size
gradient… Affected by hydrocarbons

Filter Rating: •Nominal • Absolute •Filtration rate and eficiency

Filter selection: •Amount of disolved solids•Particle diameter •Amount of oil •Volume of fluid

Oil removal

Important step when primary separation fails • Emulsions…Oil can cause troubles in treatment

•Skimmer tanks • Key to succesful removal : residence/retention time •Demulsifiers

(Vortex tank, Horizontal Skim, Flotation cells, Flotation, Coalescers, Hydrocyclon)

“Polishing” methods

•Softening •Removal of ions capable of forming scales and deposits (Ca, Mg, Carbonate and
bicarbonate)

Softening : Precipitation softening : Add compounds to precipitate problematic ions (Sodium

Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonat ) Precipitates calcium. Works better at high temperatures

Softening by ionic Exchange: Use of resines that “prefer” certain ions (Strong Acid, Weak Acid,
Anions)

Destilation: is the process of separating the component or substances from a liquid mixture by
selective evaporation and condensation.

•Demineralization: hydrogen Exchange •Destilation: “pure” water

•Very high quality results, very High operational costs

 INJECTION SYSTEMS

Includes Surface facilities and systems to carry “high quality” wáter to the well.

Objectives: •Produce/deliver water that meets the desired standard •Prevent clogging and
deposits in tanks, flow lines and pumps •Avoid corrosion

Biggest problems is clay clogging, High salinity prevents this problem, acids or bases do not

Corrosion: Analyze the potential for corrosion, Objectives (Extend/maintain service life, Avoid
suspended solid formation, Avoid spills), Using Steel is a trade off.

Tendency to form deposits: Evaluate :pH, Pressure, Carbonates, Water compatibility (Evaluate
reaction tendency), Suspended solids (Particle size distribution), Bacteria Hydrocarbon
content, Sensitivity of the formation

Treatment Systems

Common Problems: Seawater, Rich in oxygen, High Content of disolved solids, including sea
life, Tendency to cause filter fouling, Rich in carbonates, May Contain high sulphates, Contain
aerobic and sulphur reducing bacteria, Could sour the reservoir.

Type system-seawater: Corrosion, velocity, well corrosion, biológic control, deposit

monitoring Common Problems: •Fresh water• High oxygen content • Seasonal content of
suspended solids • Rich in bacteria • May be incompatible with formationw ater • Can react
with clay.

Type system – Fresh water: Gas blanket and cathodic protection • Biologic Control .

Common Problems: Produced/formation wáter • Contains H2S and CO2 •Contains disolved
solids, usually corrosión products •Contains hydrocarbons • May contain SRB • May produce
scale and deposits.

Type system – Produced wáter ( sweet): gas blankets , corrosion. Similar to “sweet” systems,
considering: Limited use of Steel, whenever posible, Special attention to de- oxigenation,
Biologic control. Common Problems: Shallow well wáter (aquifers) •Poor in disolved gases
•May be rich in carbonates and calcium (heavy water ) • May react with clay • May be
incompatible with formation water

Type system – shallow well water ( low O2): Type system – shallow well water ( low O2), If

Water is “oxygen free”, limited use of scavenger and gas stripping •Depostis

Disposal Systems

•Depends on the intended use ( Confinement, Release on Surface water bodies)

Confinement: •Avoid contamination in Surface waters, may be part of secondary recovery

projects• More economic, because has less treatment steps • Considerations similar to
injection systems (Incompatibility, Reservoir souring)
Ecotoxicology: •Chemicals used during production: De-emuslifiers, detergents, biocides,
coagulants, flocculants, oxygen scavengers , etc •Gas treating chemicals •Chemicals used in
matrix stimulation and workover • Most toxic : Quats and ammines.

Treat water to meet the legal standard (RAOHE), Ecotoxicology (bioacumulation)