Abstract: A system for treating produced water, for example from a SAGD bitumen production operation, has a treatment unit using chemical oxidation (CO) or electromagnetic treatment (ET) to destroy or degrade organics in the produced water. The treatment module may use CO or ET in combination with biological treatment or sorption processes or both. When the treatment module is used upstream of a steam generator, it reduces fouling in the steam generator and in any blowdown water treatment device. A brine concentrator or a crystallizer may be used to treat the blowdown water. The treatment module may be used in combination with a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter. Optionally, the produced water may be treated with an ET process such as microwaves directly upstream of a steam generator or upstream of a concentrator or crystallizer in a blowdown water stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic contaminants from water may be used, for example, to treat produced water from a steam assisted heavy oil recovery operation. The treated produced water may be re-used to create steam. Alternatively, the produced water may be a blowdown stream treated to facilitate further treatment in a thermal crystallizer. The treatments may include pH adjustment or separating de-solubilized organics or both. Other treatments may include one or more of oxidation, sorption and biological treatments. The treatments may be used alone or in various combinations. One exemplary combination includes reducing the pH of produced water, separating de-solubilized organics from the produced water, and oxidizing the produced water or contacting the produced water with activated carbon.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of sludge with microwave irradiation for improving its dewatering are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes exposing the sludge to microwave irradiation at an absorbed power density of between about 7 W/ml and about 13 W/ml. Turbidity, total solids content and overall dewaterability are improved when the microwave irradiation treatment is combined with another method for dewatering sludge, such as enzyme treatment, conditioning with a flocculating agent and mechanical dewatering.

Abstract: A method for forming a filter medium includes mixing activated carbon and nitrogen enriched plastic binder. The activated carbon and nitrogen enriched plastic binder are heated in order to bind the activated carbon to the nitrogen enriched plastic binder and form a filter medium block. A related filter cartridge is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic contaminants from water may be used, for example, to treat produced water from a steam assisted heavy oil recovery operation. The treated produced water may be re-used to create steam. Alternatively, the produced water may be a blowdown stream treated to facilitate further treatment in a thermal crystallizer. The treatments may include pH adjustment or separating de-solubilized organics or both. Other treatments may include one or more of oxidation, sorption and biological treatments. The treatments may be used alone or in various combinations. One exemplary combination includes reducing the pH of produced water, separating de-solubilized organics from the produced water, and oxidizing the produced water or contacting the produced water with activated carbon.

Abstract: A method for utilizing microwave generated multi-bubble plasma to treat an effluent is provided. The method comprises: providing a microwave field; flowing an effluent and gas bubbles in the effluent across the microwave field; enhancing electromagnetic field in a path of the gas bubbles in the microwave field via an electrode; triggering plasma in the gas bubbles as the gas bubbles reach a region of enhanced electromagnetic field; and coupling microwave to the plasma.

Abstract: A system for treating produced water, for example from a SAGD bitumen production operation, has a treatment unit using chemical oxidation (CO) or electromagnetic treatment (ET) to destroy or degrade organics in the produced water. The treatment module may use CO or ET in combination with biological treatment or sorption processes or both. When the treatment module is used upstream of a steam generator, it reduces fouling in the steam generator and in any blowdown water treatment device. A brine concentrator or a crystallizer may be used to treat the blowdown water. The treatment module may be used in combination with a nanofiltration (NF) or reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter. Optionally, the produced water may be treated with an ET process such as microwaves directly upstream of a steam generator or upstream of a concentrator or crystallizer in a blowdown water stream.

Abstract: A filter for removing soluble and insoluble lead from water supplied by a water source includes at least one charged filter medium configured to facilitate removing at least one of soluble lead and insoluble colloidal lead from the water.

Abstract: A pitcher filter cartridge for removing contaminants from water includes a housing defining a chamber. The housing further defines at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. A first adsorption medium is contained within the chamber and configured to facilitate removing insoluble colloidal lead from the water.