Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for enhancing oil separation from produced water. One such method includes mixing a multiphase fluid having at least a water phase and an oil phase with a flotation gas, according to at least one operating condition, so as to produce an enhanced multiphase fluid having bubbles of the flotation gas therein. The oil phase is then separated from the water phase using a separator. At least one property associated with the enhanced multiphase fluid is monitored. The operating condition is adjusted as a function of the monitored property so as to increase a percentage of the oil phase separated from the water phase by the separator over a percentage of the oil phase that would be separated from the water phase without adjustment of the operating condition.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes an inlet line, a tank in fluid communication with the inlet line to receive therefrom a fluid flow comprising hydrocarbons and water. The tank includes components configured to separate the fluid flow into a hydrocarbon flow and a water flow, with the water flow including a residual amount of hydrocarbons. A first outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the water flow. A second outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the hydrocarbon flow. A sensor is associated with one of the inlet line, the first outlet line, and the second outlet line, and a valve is associated with the second outlet line. In addition, a controller is configured to determine a property of at least one of the fluid flow, the hydrocarbon flow, and the water flow using the sensor, and to control the valve based upon the property so as to reduce the residual amount of hydrocarbons in the water flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and methods for enhancing oil separation from produced water. One such method includes mixing a multiphase fluid having at least a water phase and an oil phase with a flotation gas, according to at least one operating condition, so as to produce an enhanced multiphase fluid having bubbles of the flotation gas therein. The oil phase is then separated from the water phase using a separator. At least one property associated with the enhanced multiphase fluid is monitored. The operating condition is adjusted as a function of the monitored property so as to increase a percentage of the oil phase separated from the water phase by the separator over a percentage of the oil phase that would be separated from the water phase without adjustment of the operating condition.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes an inlet line, a tank in fluid communication with the inlet line to receive therefrom a fluid flow comprising hydrocarbons and water. The tank includes components configured to separate the fluid flow into a hydrocarbon flow and a water flow, with the water flow including a residual amount of hydrocarbons. A first outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the water flow. A second outlet line is in fluid communication with the tank to discharge therefrom the hydrocarbon flow. A sensor is associated with one of the inlet line, the first outlet line, and the second outlet line, and a valve is associated with the second outlet line. In addition, a controller is configured to determine a property of at least one of the fluid flow, the hydrocarbon flow, and the water flow using the sensor, and to control the valve based upon the property so as to reduce the residual amount of hydrocarbons in the water flow.