SUBSURFACE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

摘要

A subsurface water treatment system is provided which may be used to produce purified water using ambient subsurface water as a source fluid. The system includes one or more ultrafiltration membrane units which use ambient water as the source fluid and to produce therefrom an ultrafiltrate substantially free of solid particulates having a largest dimension greater than 0.1 microns. An electrochemical unit provides an antifoulant solution comprising hypohalous acid species. A backwash unit allows periodic cleaning and defouling of a non-producing ultrafiltration membrane unit. The system may also include a nanofiltration unit and a reverse osmosis membrane unit which may be used to produce purified water having any of a wide range desired total dissolved solids content. The novel systems and methods described may be used to stimulate the production of hydrocarbon fluids from a hydrocarbon reservoir.

主权项

1. A subsurface water treatment system comprising:
(a) one or more ultrafiltration membrane units configured to use ambient water as a source fluid and to produce therefrom an ultrafiltrate substantially free of solid particulates having a largest dimension greater than 0.1 microns; (b) an electrochemical unit in fluid communication with at least one ultrafiltration membrane unit and configured to provide an aqueous solution comprising one or more hypohalous acid species; and (c) a backwash unit configured to deliver an ultrafiltrate-rich backwash fluid and at least a portion of the aqueous solution comprising one or more hypohalous acid species to at least one non-producing ultrafiltration membrane unit during a backwash cycle.