A review of oilfield wastewater treatment using membrane filtration over conventional technology

Abstract

The oil and gas industry has been a constant developing industry as it is of importance to the maintenance of industrial civilization in its current configuration and play vital roles in many other industries. Some oil and gas industry operations have been accountable of water contamination through by-results of refining and oil slicks. One of the biggest by-products that have raised a critical environment concern is oilfield produced water. Oilfield produced water (OPW) is coproduced aqua liquid phase which originate from well alongside oil phases in normal production process. The content of OPW consists of different type of organic and inorganic mix. Discarding this kind of wastewater can lead to surface pollution especially on water sources as well as soil. Hence, to meet environmental regulations as well as reuse and recycling of produced water, many researchers have focused on treating oily saline produced water. Conventional technologies used to treat produced water consist of clarifiers, dissolved air flotation, hydro cyclones, and disposable filters/absorbers. Typically, additional chemicals for coagulation or settling are needed which are expensive and are incapable of achieving recently required standards of cleanliness. Therefore, researchers have swung to membrane filtration plans because of their capability to minimize extra expenses and surpass issues connected with current advances. Thus, the purpose of this review is to highlight the current and developed membrane technology used in treating the oilfield produced wastewater and its current progress.