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Oily water capture and separation at natural gas drilling sites. An introduction.
April 2023
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How is oily wastewater managed at natural gas drilling sites?
Oily wastewater is a byproduct of natural gas drilling and production. It is a mixture of water, oil, and other contaminants, such as sand, mud, and chemicals.
Oily wastewater can be managed in a number of ways, including:
• Reinjection: This is the process of pumping oily wastewater back into the ground, where it can be stored or used to help maintain pressure in the oil or gas reservoir.
• Treatment: Oily wastewater can be treated to remove the oil and other contaminants. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as filtration, flocculation, and chemical treatment.
• Disposal: Oily wastewater that cannot be reinjected or treated may be disposed of in a landfill or incinerated. The management of oily wastewater is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has established standards for the treatment and disposal of oily wastewater. These standards are designed to protect human health and the environment.
The management of oily wastewater is an important part of the natural gas industry. By properly managing oily wastewater, the industry can help to protect the environment and ensure the safe and efficient production of natural gas.
Here are some additional details about each of the management options:
• Reinjection: Reinjection is a common practice in the oil and gas industry. It is a safe and effective way to manage oily wastewater. However, it is not always possible to reinject oily wastewater. For example, if the oil or gas reservoir is too shallow, reinjection may not be an option.
• Treatment: Treatment is another common practice for managing oily wastewater. There are a variety of treatment methods available, and the best method will vary depending on the specific characteristics of the oily wastewater. Treatment can be expensive, but it is often necessary to meet environmental regulations.
• Disposal: Disposal is the least desirable option for managing oily wastewater. It is only used when other options are not available. Disposal can be expensive and it can pose a risk to human health and the environment.
The management of oily wastewater is a complex issue. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a management option, such as the cost, the environmental impact, and the regulatory requirements.
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What are the options for treating oily wastewater at natural gas drilling sites?
There are a number of options for treating oily wastewater at natural gas drilling sites. The best option will vary depending on the specific characteristics of the wastewater, such as the type and concentration of contaminants, the volume of wastewater, and the regulatory requirements.
Some common treatment options include:
• Physical-chemical treatment: This type of treatment uses physical and chemical processes to remove contaminants from the wastewater. Common physical processes include filtration, flocculation, and sedimentation. Common chemical processes include precipitation, oxidation, and reduction.
• Biological treatment: This type of treatment uses microorganisms to break down contaminants in the wastewater. Biological treatment is often used to treat wastewater that is high in organic matter.
• Aerobic treatment: This type of biological treatment uses oxygen to break down contaminants in the wastewater. Aerobic treatment is often used to treat wastewater that is high in organic matter.
• Anaerobic treatment: This type of biological treatment does not use oxygen to break down contaminants in the wastewater. Anaerobic treatment is often used to treat wastewater that is high in organic matter and has a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).
• Membrane filtration: This type of treatment uses membranes to remove contaminants from the wastewater. Membrane filtration is often used to treat wastewater that is high in dissolved solids.
• Reverse osmosis: This type of membrane filtration uses high pressure to force water molecules through a membrane, leaving behind contaminants. Reverse osmosis is often used to treat wastewater that is high in dissolved salts.
The cost of treating oily wastewater will vary depending on the treatment method used, the volume of wastewater, and the regulatory requirements. The cost of treatment can be significant, so it is important to choose a treatment method that is both effective and cost-efficient.
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Can the oil from gas drilling sites be used?
Ed. note: The answers below focus on capturing and repurposing oil directly from the wells. Our technology is aimed at removing floating oil from the on-site settling tank treatment systems. Floating oils in the treatment process are now volatilizing into the open air by economic necessity. It would be profoundly expensive to put roofs on one-million gallon tanks- and then managing the internal air standards given the materials being enclosed. The solution is to take as much floating oil out of these systems before and during their stay in any treatment systems, especially open-air steps where floating oils can readily volatize. Subsequent repurposing of captured floating oils from these systems will depend on what contaminants might be embedded in the captured oils. Options for imperfect-but-safe oil use would include asphalt production. See info below:
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The oil from gas drilling sites can be used, but it is not always the case. The oil from gas drilling sites is often contaminated with other substances, such as sand, mud, and chemicals. This contamination can make the oil difficult to use and can also pose a risk to human health and the environment.
If the oil from gas drilling sites is not contaminated, it can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products. It can also be used to produce asphalt, lubricants, and other products.
The use of oil from gas drilling sites is controversial. Some people argue that it is a valuable resource that should be used. Others argue that it is a dangerous substance that should not be used. The decision of whether or not to use oil from gas drilling sites is a complex one that should be made on a case-by-case basis.
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How much oil goes into making asphalt?
The amount of oil that goes into making asphalt varies depending on the type of asphalt and the quality of the oil. In general, it takes about 2 gallons of oil to produce 1 ton of asphalt.
Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen, aggregate, and other additives. Bitumen is the sticky black substance that gives asphalt its adhesive properties. It is made from crude oil, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated into different fractions during the refining process. Bitumen is one of the heavier fractions of crude oil.
Aggregate is the solid material that makes up the bulk of asphalt. It is made from crushed stone, sand, or gravel. The aggregate provides strength and durability to asphalt. Other additives are used to improve the properties of asphalt. These additives can include polymers, stabilizers, and anti-oxidants.
The quality of the oil used to make asphalt can affect the properties of the asphalt. For example, oil that is high in sulfur can produce asphalt that is more susceptible to cracking.
The type of asphalt also affects the amount of oil that is used. For example, hot-mix asphalt uses more oil than cold-mix asphalt.
Overall, the amount of oil that goes into making asphalt varies depending on a number of factors. However, in general, it takes about 2 gallons of oil to produce 1 ton of asphalt.
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Is oil from gas drilling sites high or low in sulfur?
Oil from natural gas drilling sites is generally low in sulfur. This is because natural gas is typically found in shale formations, which are low in sulfur. Sulfur is a common impurity in crude oil, and it can be a major source of air pollution. Natural gas production is therefore considered to be a cleaner source of energy than oil production.
Note: Lower sulfur is of higher value for asphalt production.
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How much waste water do U.S. oil and gas companies produce from fracking?
210 billion gallons of wastewater were produced from 2005 and 2014. Source: Duke University.
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Questions by Rick. Answers AI / Bard. See NOTES. April 2023.
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