Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of produced or process water from hydrocarbon production to reduce the volume of the produced or process water while simultaneously reducing the salinity of a highly saline stream, for example, the brine from a seawater desalination plant. The method includes causing a feed stream comprising produced or process water to flow through the lumen of a hollow fiber osmotic membrane 4 which is immersed in an open channel 2 or tank of flowing draw solution 6 which has high salinity. In this way, water from the feed stream is drawn through the osmotic membrane 4 by an osmotic pressure differential caused by the difference in salinity between the feed stream and the draw solution 6.

Abstract: A magnetic filter assembly 1 is described which is suitable for incorporating into a fluid system such that a process fluid flows through the filter to remove ferromagnetic particles in the fluid. The filter assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 having a flow chamber. The housing also comprises one or more elongate hollow sleeves 10 extending into the flow chamber such that, in use, an exterior surface of each sleeve 10 is exposed to the process flow and an interior surface of each sleeve 10 is sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve 10 has an opening via which the interior surface of the sleeve is open or openable to the environment whilst remaining sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve has received in it a magnet 12, the magnet being removable from the sleeve via the opening. In this way, cleaning of the filter by removal of the magnets is facilitated, without exposing the process flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of hydrocarbons and in particular to waterflooding, or the injection of water into a hydrocarbon reservoir to assist recovery of the hydrocarbons. It is often desirable to use produced water (PW) for waterflooding, whereas seawater (which is often more convenient to use) can cause issues such as undesirable precipitation in the reservoir and associated pipelines and equipment. Often there is insufficient PW and the supply of PW needs to be supplemented. It is also often desirable to reduce the salinity of the PW. The invention contemplates an osmotic process in which the high salinity PW acts as a draw solution and lower salinity seawater is used as a feed. The PW supply may be pressurized in preparation for injecting it into the reservoir and then passed through an osmotic membrane element, whilst low pressure seawater is passed through the osmotic membrane element on the other side.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a liquid stream is described. The method includes contacting the liquid stream including a first amount of hydrogen sulfide with a first side of a porous gas-liquid separation membrane. The hydrogen sulfide moves through the pores of the membrane from the first side to a second, opposite side of the membrane. The method further includes contacting a receiving fluid with the second, opposite side of the porous membrane to receive the hydrogen sulfide. The liquid stream is thus converted to a reduced-sulfide liquid stream having a second amount of hydrogen sulfide that is less than the first amount of hydrogen sulfide. A method for removing ammonia from a liquid stream is also described.

Abstract: A magnetic filter assembly 1 is described which is suitable for incorporating into a fluid system such that a process fluid flows through the filter to remove ferromagnetic particles in the fluid. The filter assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 having a flow chamber. The housing also comprises one or more elongate hollow sleeves 10 extending into the flow chamber such that, in use, an exterior surface of each sleeve 10 is exposed to the process flow and an interior surface of each sleeve 10 is sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve 10 has an opening via which the interior surface of the sleeve is open or openable to the environment whilst remaining sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve has received in it a magnet 12, the magnet being removable from the sleeve via the opening. In this way, cleaning of the filter by removal of the magnets is facilitated, without exposing the process flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of produced or process water from hydrocarbon production to reduce the volume of the produced or process water while simultaneously reducing the salinity of a highly saline stream, for example, the brine from a seawater desalination plant. The method includes causing a feed stream comprising produced or process water to flow through the lumen of a hollow fiber osmotic membrane 4 which is immersed in an open channel 2 or tank of flowing draw solution 6 which has high salinity. In this way, water from the feed stream is drawn through the osmotic membrane 4 by an osmotic pressure differential caused by the difference in salinity between the feed stream and the draw solution 6.

Abstract: An immersed membrane system or process may use measured or calculated process information to optimize one or more process operating parameters to improve performance or reduce operating costs. An on-line process control system or method may use the resistance in series method in operating an immersed membrane water treatment system. A process control system or process may consider resistance values and adjust operational parameters such as membrane aeration frequency factor, membrane aeration flow, permeate flux, permeation duration, backwash flow and duration, relaxation duration or maintenance or recovery chemical cleaning frequencies in order to reduce the operational costs related to membrane fouling removal.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a liquid stream is described. The method includes contacting the liquid stream including a first amount of hydrogen sulfide with a first side of a porous gas-liquid separation membrane. The hydrogen sulfide moves through the pores of the membrane from the first side to a second, opposite side of the membrane. The method further includes contacting a receiving fluid with the second, opposite side of the porous membrane to receive the hydrogen sulfide. The liquid stream is thus converted to a reduced-sulfide liquid stream having a second amount of hydrogen sulfide that is less than the first amount of hydrogen sulfide. A method for removing ammonia from a liquid stream is also described.

Abstract: An immersed membrane system or process may use measured or calculated process information to optimize one or more process operating parameters to improve performance or reduce operating costs. An on-line process control system or method may use the resistance in series method in operating an immersed membrane water treatment system. A process control system or process may consider resistance values and adjust operational parameters such as membrane aeration frequency factor, membrane aeration flow, permeate flux, permeation duration, backwash flow and duration, relaxation duration or maintenance or recovery chemical cleaning frequencies in order to reduce the operational costs related to membrane fouling removal.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An immersed membrane system or process may use measured or calculated process information to optimize one or more process operating parameters to improve performance or reduce operating costs. An on-line process control system or method may use the resistance in series method in operating an immersed membrane water treatment system. A process control system or process may consider resistance values and adjust operational parameters such as membrane aeration frequency factor, membrane aeration flow, permeate flux, permeation duration, backwash flow and duration, relaxation duration or maintenance or recovery chemical cleaning frequencies in order to reduce the operational costs related to membrane fouling removal.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An element for use in ultrafiltration or microfiltration of potable water has a large number of small diameter hollow fibre membranes attached between two headers. Side plates attached to the sides of the headers define vertical flow channels containing the membranes. The elements may be placed side by side and stacked on top of each other to form cassettes having continuous vertical flow channels through the entire cassette. The membrane modules or cassettes may be arranged to cover a substantial part of the cross sectional area of an open tank. Tank water may flow upwards or downwards through the flow channels. A tank may be deconcentrated by at least partially emptying and refilling the tank with fresh water while permeation continues. Excess tank water created during deconcentration may flow generally upwards through the modules and out through a retentate outlet or overflow at the top of the tank.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: A process for supplying bubbles to a membrane module and cleaning an aerator producing the bubbles includes, in repeated cycles, steps of producing bubbles from an aerator and reducing pressure in the aerator such that water in the tank enters the aerator.