Synthesis and Characterization of Surface Coated Ultrafiltration Membranes to Enhance Oil/Water Fouling Resistance

摘要

Produced water is the largest single wastewater stream in oil and gas production. In 2002, more than 14 billion barrels were handled in the U.S. alone. This water often contains salts, heavy metals, emulsified oil and other organics, rendering it unsuitable for human or animal consumption, or even agricultural use. Often, the most viable disposal option is subsurface injection. Subsurface injection costs vary from $0.50 to $1.75 per barrel, representing annual operating costs of over 7 billion dollars per year for U.S. oil and gas operators. Water is an increasingly valuable commodity. In the arid western and midwestern states [e.g., Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Texas and Wyoming], produced water could provide a valuable source of irrigation, industrial and even potable water if the organic content and salinity could be reduced to acceptable limits. Produced water, therefore, represents an interesting opportunity as a new water source for a wide variety of uses.