Method for recycling deoiled water using counterflow falling-film evaporators

摘要

We provide an evaporator technology for treatment of produced water that may be deoiled water. Systems described herein utilize a vertical tube heat exchanger bundle where the brine is distributed in a falling film along the inside of the tube wall. Condensing steam causes a portion of the deoiled water to evaporate; this water vapor travels upward in a counterflow direction relative to the deoiled water. This evaporator technology provides several design advantages over the conventional vertical tube co-current flow evaporators (where the vapor flows downward with the falling film). These advantages include a minimal total installed cost (TIC) as well as offering optimal design features for water chemistry management.