Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators. is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators. The method and apparatus is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica compounds are encountered, and in cases where volatile organic compounds are encountered, such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100 % quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for conditioning of wastewater treatment brines for deep well injection during recovery of heavy hydrocarbon oils in situ. High pressure steam is used to mobilize oil, which is recovered in a mixture of oil and produced water. The produced water is pre-treated by removing residual oil. The remaining water is acidified and steam stripped to remove non-hydroxide alkalinity and non-condensable gases, and is then fed to a crystallizing evaporator, where it is evaporated from a circulating brine slurry to produce (1) a distillate stream having a trace amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown stream containing, as dissolved or suspended solids, substantially all of the solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate stream is used as boiler feedwater, either directly or after polishing. The evaporator blowdown is conditioned to remove substantially all suspended solids and to produce a clear brine solution for deep well injection.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100 % quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward, releasing at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: An evaporation based method of treating produced water from heavy oil production. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. Feedwater is introduced into an evaporator, and the feedwater is evaporated to a selected concentration factor to produce (1) a distillate having a small amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing residual solids. Distillate may be directly used for steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or polished by ion exchange or electrodeionization prior to feed to a packaged boiler.

Abstract: A method of treating produced water from heavy oil production to provide feedwater for the production of high quality steam. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is initially treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. The pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. In some cases, the pH may be raised (without, or subsequent to decarbonation, depending upon water chemistry) preferably by caustic addition, to maintain silica solubility in the feedwater.

Abstract: An evaporation based method of treating produced water from heavy oil production. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. Feedwater is introduced into an evaporator, and the feedwater is evaporated to a selected concentration factor to produce (1) a distillate having a small amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing residual solids. Distillate may be directly used for steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or polished by ion exchange or electrodeionization prior to feed to a packaged boiler.

Abstract: A method for enhancing solvent extraction of organic wastes from contaminated waste mixtures. A contaminated waste mixture is contacted with a solvent with high driving force for solvation of water, and most preferably with a solvent which is both anhydrous and which has an appreciable affinity for solvation of water. While the solvent is in contact with the contaminated waste mixture, a portion of the organic waste is dissolved in the solvent. Then, the solvated organic waste and residual solvent is removed from the contaminated waste mixture. Solvent is recovered, preferably by distillation, and is then dehydrated, prior to repeating the cycle. The technique substantially improves the degree of removal of certain organic wastes from contaminated waste mixtures, and has been demonstrated to be particularly useful for removal of pesticides from organic waste mixtures.