WO2015191730A1 - Cellule de flottation à gaz induit par des microbulles et son procédé de fonctionnement - Google Patents

Cellule de flottation à gaz induit par des microbulles et son procédé de fonctionnement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015191730A1
WO2015191730A1 PCT/US2015/035130 US2015035130W WO2015191730A1 WO 2015191730 A1 WO2015191730 A1 WO 2015191730A1 US 2015035130 W US2015035130 W US 2015035130W WO 2015191730 A1 WO2015191730 A1 WO 2015191730A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas
micro
bubbles
flotation
gas flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/035130
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
SR. Frank RICHERAND
II Frank RICHERAND
Yoosef PEYMANI
Original Assignee
Enviro-Tech Systems, L.L.C.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Enviro-Tech Systems, L.L.C. filed Critical Enviro-Tech Systems, L.L.C.
Publication of WO2015191730A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015191730A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/24—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flotation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0205—Separation of non-miscible liquids by gas bubbles or moving solids
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/30—Organic compounds
    • C02F2101/32—Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/26—Reducing the size of particles, liquid droplets or bubbles, e.g. by crushing, grinding, spraying, creation of microbubbles or nanobubbles

Definitions

  • ASSIGNEE ENVIRO-TECH SYSTEMS, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company having an address of 78219 Oak Ridge Road, Folsom,
  • the apparatus and process of the present invention relates to Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) and Dissolved Gas Flotation (DGF). More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and process in which micro-bubbles created by dissolved gas flotation assemble in conjunction with induced gas flotation macroscopic bubbles and improve the overall technique of flotation and/or removal.
  • IGF Induced Gas Flotation
  • DGF Dissolved Gas Flotation
  • prior art gas flotation cells utilize a pump that mixes air and water in specific proportions to create macroscopic bubbles.
  • the present invention comprises the addition of micro-bubbles to induced gas flotation macroscopic bubbles as an add on feature that is a novel and effective method to separate insoluble organics in produced/waste water.
  • the Enviro-CellTM Induced Gas Flotation cell under patent pending, of US Patent Application No. 13/208,852, is used to separate oil in produced water. It is generally efficient to approximately 95-97%. It is a common method to treat produced water and it meets the requirements set forth by the BOEMRE (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement) and BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement) regulations for produced water discharges in the Gulf of Mexico. Considering that less than 29 parts per million (ppm) (0.029 mL / litre) is the requirement for discharge under the BSEE and BOEMRE, there is a need in the art to improve the overall efficiency and performance of an induced gas flotation cell.
  • BOEMRE Boau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
  • BSEE Bos of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
  • the present invention solves the problems in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. Considering that less than 29 parts per million (ppm) (0.029 mL / litre) is regulation, as set forth by BOEMRE and BESSE for discharge in the Gulf of Mexico, trying to improve the overall efficiency and performance of an Induced Gas Flotation (IGF) unit is the basis for advancement. Tests have been conducted with the addition of micro-bubbles into a prior art induced gas flotation cell to test if the combination of standard induced gas flotation technology with the addition of micro-bubbles, working in conjunction with another, improves the overall performance of an induced gas flotation cell.
  • ppm parts per million
  • IGF Induced Gas Flotation
  • micro-bubbles work in conjunction with traditional flotation bubbles as a compliment to the technology and improves the overall performance of either the new machine of the present invention or the existing prior art machines.
  • the method of addition of these technologies is key to this enhancement working properly. Strategically placing these micro-bubbles in the unit and combined with the standard bubble improves the overall performance of an induced gas flotation cell.
  • a DGF (Dissolved Gas Flotation) system comprises a combination of multi-phase pump, low pressure eductor, high shear static mixer and a series of modified globe valves to create excessive shear and turbulence at the throat.
  • the gas can be introduced to the process through adjustable gas suction which allows the operator to optimize the amount of gas to be injected into the vessel (which can be up to 30% of the pump capacity at standard conditions).
  • the gas flows through a series of shearing stages, including the multi-stage centrifugal shearing pump, high turbulence in static mixer and extreme pressure drop and turbulence in globe valves.
  • the process creates uniform bubbles (10-30 microns ( ⁇ )) which can float very small oil droplets with high efficiency.
  • the combination of the DGF and IGF technologies can create a wide range of gas bubble sizes that will separate the smallest oil droplet in the system.
  • Introducing micro-bubbles through a DGF pump in the first two cells of the vessel creates white cloudy water. These micro-bubbles can travel through the whole vessel and attach to the smallest oil droplets and assist the macro-bubbles created by IGF technology to float them to the water surface where they can be skimmed from the surface.
  • the present invention may be a standalone product or feature to be used as a DGF pump to introduce micro-bubbles to a new process or existing process or new machine or prior art existing machine and float contaminates to the surface.
  • a Dissolved Gas Flotation system is a combination of a DGF pump, low pressure eductor, static mixer and series of global valves, which are working in addition to a new IGF process ore existing IGF process or new IGF machine or existing IGF machine.
  • a Dissolved Gas Flotation system may be installed in a new process or existing process or new machine or prior art exsisting machine as a product or feature addition utilized to enhance the separation efficiency by means of flotation.
  • the third embodiment may retrofit microbubbles to any other vessel, e.g. addition of microbubbles and or Induced Gas Flotation to:
  • Tanks horizontal or vertical , cylindrical or square
  • a principal object of the present invention is to provide a DGF system, which can be retrofitted to any vessel available; can be operated at high temperature and moderate pressure; and can generate uniform micro-bubbles.
  • Various embodiments of the method of the present invention comprise a method of separating two immiscible components, one lighter in specific
  • separating component in the primary separation chamber to allow for free and suspended solids along with free oil or grease or gas to be removed from fluids in the primary separation chamber;
  • micro-bubbles are comingled with first induced gas flow via a static mixer.
  • a dissolved gas flotation pump, eductor and a series of globe valves as part of a dissolved gas flotation system.
  • Various embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention comprise an apparatus for separating two immiscible components, one lighter in specific gravity than the other, comprising:
  • a single vessel having a primary separation chamber portion for receiving fluids into the chamber
  • a gas flotation chamber portion of the vessel for receiving fluid flow from the primary separation chamber portion
  • eductor means for inducing the combined flow of gas into the fluid in the gas flotation chamber portion for separating fine oil droplets, emulsified oil droplets, and suspended solids from the fluid flow, to be collected separately from the fluid flow.
  • Additional embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention comprise a dissolved gas flotation pump, eductor and a series of globe valves operating with the gas flotation chamber to provide the source of micro-bubble flow into the chamber.
  • components can be retrofitted to an existing flotation cell.
  • the size of the micro-bubbles can be adjusted to optimize separation efficiency.
  • Various embodiments of the present invention comprise an improved apparatus for separating two immiscible components, one lighter in specific gravity than the other, which comprises a single vessel, having a primary separation chamber portion for receiving fluids into the chamber; a gas flotation chamber portion of the vessel for receiving fluid flow from the primary separation chamber portion; and a first source of induced gas flow; the improvement comprising:
  • a second source of micro-bubble gas flow combined with the first induced gas flow; and eductor means for inducing combined flow of gas into fluid in the gas flotation chamber portion for separating fine oil droplets, emulsified oil droplets, and/or suspended solids from the fluid flow, to be collected separately from the fluid flow.
  • Various embodiments of the present invention comprise an improved method of separating two immiscible components, one lighter in specific gravity than the other, comprising the steps of providing a single vessel, having a primary separation chamber and a gas flotation chamber; separating immiscible components in the primary separation chamber to allow for free and suspended solids along with free oil or grease or gas to be removed from the fluids in the primary separation chamber; flowing the immiscible components into the gas flotation chamber portion; and providing a first induced gas flow; the improvement comprising the steps of:
  • Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a stand-alone DGF package in a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the internal geometry of a stand-alone DGF package in a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 illustrates the interaction between micro-bubbles and oil contaminates and consequent flotation, in a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figures 4A-4B illustrate isometric front and back side views of a combination IGF and DGF flotation system in one package, in a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a combination IGF and DGF flotation system internal design, in a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates the interaction between micro-bubbles, macro-bubbles and oil contaminates and consequent flotation in a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 7 illustrates a process flow diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention, and installation procedure of a retro-fitted DGF pump to an existing vessel;
  • Figures 8 illustrates a micro-bubble layer test setup in combination with an IGF machine in a first embodiment of the present invention;
  • Figures 9 illustrates a micro-bubble layer in combination of IGF bubbles at the top of an IGF machine in a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figures 10 illustrates a micro-bubble specimen of micro-bubble layer in a beaker
  • Figures 11 illustrates a microscopic picture of micro bubbles using an on-line high speed digital camera with a magnification lens, then utilizing image processing and object recognition to determine the size and number of micro-bubbles in line.
  • an object of the present invention is to improve the overall efficiency of the collection process.
  • FIG. 1 an isometric view of a micro-bubble flotation vessel 1 is illustrated.
  • Contaminated water may enter the vessel 1 from inlet nozzle 2, wherein diverter plate 3 breaks the possible short-circuiting between quiescence cell 4 and first active cell 5.
  • the separated oil spills over weirs 6 to oil bucket or collection reservoir 7.
  • the processed water enters the first active cell 5, where microbubbles are injected from a bottom entry point 8.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the interaction between gas bubbles and oil droplets wherein microscopic gas bubbles 9 attach to oil droplets 10 and lower the parcel 1 1 density.
  • the process may be repeated in each active cell 12 to 14, and in a final stage the processed water is sent to a final quiescence cell 15 for further gravity separation.
  • a portion of water may be recycled through DGF pumps 16A and 16B whereby the pumps 16A, 16B can be driven by electric motors 17 and 18, to create micro-bubbles for flotation purpose.
  • the recycled water passes through low pressure eductor 19 which preferably creates enough suction to entrain up 30% gas in incoming water through a needle valve 20 from the gas blanket wherein the operator can control the gas percentage in the stream.
  • the gas and water mixture goes through a series of centrifugal stages in a multiphase-side channel pump 16A or 16B.
  • a standby multi-phase side channel pump 16B and operating multi-phase side channel pump 16A are provided in a preferred embodiment.
  • the pressurization of gasified water along with high shear forces in the pump 16A or 16B dissolve a significant portion of gas in water.
  • the bubbles will break down to smaller size.
  • a significant pressure drop e.g., a drop of 80-100 psig (6.53 bar - 7.91 bar) creates uniform microscopic bubbles.
  • Processed water at the end exits the vessel 1, through outlet nozzle 23 where the level may be controlled by level control valve 24.
  • the collected oil in oil collection reservoir 7 may be either pumped or gravity fed to the collection tank.
  • the micro-bubble flotation is utilized as a compliment to an IGF unit, which may be a traditional prior art IGF unit, wherein macro-induced bubbles may be created through venturi type eductors.
  • Contaminated water enters the vessel 25 from inlet nozzle 26, wherein a diverter plate 27 breaks the possible short-circuiting between first DGF cell 28 and first DGF + IGF cell 29 (see Figure 5). Separated oil may spill over the weirs 30 to oil bucket or collection reservoir 31. Processed water enters the first IGF + DGF cell 29, wherein the microbubbles have been injected from tangential entry point 32 (see Figure 4A).
  • Figure 6 shows the interaction between gas bubbles and oil droplets wherein microscopic gas bubbles 33 may attach to oil droplets 34 and lower the parcel 35 density, and wherein macroscopic bubbles 36 employ the high Inter-Facial Tension (IFT) between microscopic and macroscopic bubbles, attach to the parcel of oil droplets and microbubbles, and rapidly bring them to the surface.
  • IFT Inter-Facial Tension
  • Processed water from the final stage of vessel 25 may be recycled through IGF and DGF pumps. In DGF cycle the recycled water passes through low pressure eductor 39 which preferably creates enough suction to entrain up 30% gas in incoming water through a needle valve 40 from the gas blanket wherein the operator can control the gas percentage in the stream.
  • Gas and water mixture goes through a series of centrifugal stages in a multiphase-side channel pump 37 and 38.
  • standby and operating multi-phase side channel pumps 37 and 38 are provided.
  • the pressurization of gasified water along with high shear forces in the pump can dissolve a significant portion of gas in water.
  • high shear static mixer 41 By passing the gasified water through high shear static mixer 41, the bubbles may break down to smaller size.
  • the small bubbles and dissolved gas in water may pass through globe valves 42 and 43, which have modified globes to create further shear.
  • a significant pressure drop (for example 80-100 psig (6.53 bar - 7.91 bar)) may create uniform microscopic bubbles.
  • the collected oil in oil collection reservoir 31 may be either pumped or gravity fed to the collection tank.
  • a DGF pump assembly 60 can be retrofitted to any vessel atmospheric or pressurized vessel (preferably with an operating pressure less than 50 psig (4.46 bar)).
  • Figure 7 represents the installation configuration of a DGF pump assembly 60 on an atmospheric pressurized vessel 48 to enhance the separation efficiency by the addition of micro bubbles in the system.
  • Processed water from close to the end of vessel 48 may be recycled through DGF pumps 60.
  • the recycled water may preferably be passed through low pressure eductor 50 which preferably creates enough suction to entrain up 30% gas in incoming water through the needle valve 51 from the gas blanket wherein the operator can control the gas percentage in the stream.
  • Gas and water mixture goes through a series of centrifugal stages in an operating multiphase-side channel pump 60.
  • a standby multi-phase pump/motor may also be provided in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 7.
  • the pressurization of gasified water along with high shear forces in the pump may dissolve a significant portion of gas in water. By passing the gasified water through high shear static mixer 52, the bubbles can break down to smaller size.
  • the smaller bubbles and dissolved gas in water can pass through a series of globe valves 53-56 with a modified globe to create further shear.
  • a significant pressure drop for example 80-100 psig (6.53 bar - 7.91 bar) across the globe valve creates uniform microscopic bubbles which helps the flotation of bubbles to the surface wherein they may be skimmed off, for example, by use of a mechanical or hydraulic or other suitable skimmer system.
  • an object of the present invention being to improve the overall efficiency of the collection process
  • tests have been conducted including the addition of micro bubbles into an existing enviro-cell induced gas flotation cell to test whether the combination of standard induced gas flotation technology combined with the addition of small micro- bubbles working simultaneously will improve the overall performance of both a new unit of the present invention and an IGF unit, which may be a prior art IGF unit, by way of adding micro-bubbles.
  • the enhancement of micro bubbles properly placed will function in conjunction with traditional flotation bubbles as a compliment to the technology and improve the overall performance of either a new machine or an existing machine including microbubbles.
  • the method of addition of these technologies is important to this enhancement working properly.
  • FIGs 8-9 a dissolved gas flotation (DGF) pump (not shown) is added to an induced gas flotation (IGF) cell 62, of the type known and marketed under the trademark Enviro-CellTM.
  • Figure 8 shows a field test setup which was described with regard to the first embodiment.
  • the micro-bubbles 63 travel upward through contaminated water and minute droplets of oil attach to the micro-bubbles 63 and travel to the top of the fluid layer, and reside as a white foam 64 of micro-bubble/flotation gas containing oil, as seen in Figure 9.
  • the micro-bubble foam 64 as in Figure 10, as they would appear in a specimen in a beaker.
  • the water with the oil collected via the micro- bubbles would travel to the last chamber in the IGF, where it would be discharged from the last drain (not shown).
  • Figure 1 1 illustrates an online microscopic size analysis of some micro-bubbles created with a method as illustrated in the second embodiment. Showing a bubble size of average 25 microns ( ⁇ ).
  • the process described in the second embodiment can be retrofitted to any flotation cell available now or any suitable flotation cell developed in the future.
  • the process described in the third embodiment can be retrofitted to any pressurized/atmospheric vessel.
  • the process described in all embodiments can be operated at high temperature
  • the process described in all embodiments generates uniform micro-bubbles.
  • the bubble size can be adjusted to optimize the separation efficiency.
  • the gas flow rate can be controlled to optimize the agitation rate.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé et un appareil de séparation de deux fluides, l'un plus léger en terme de poids spécifique que l'autre, comprenant les étapes consistant à fournir un récipient unique, possédant une chambre de séparation primaire et une chambre de flottaison de gaz ; séparer des fluides dans la chambre de séparation primaire afin de permettre aux solides en suspension et libres conjointement avec de l'huile libre et de la graisse ainsi que de l'air d'être retirés des fluides dans la chambre de séparation primaire ; faire s'écouler les fluides dans la partie de chambre de flottaison de gaz ; fournir un premier écoulement de gaz induit ; combiner un second écoulement de gaz de microbulles avec le premier écoulement de gaz ; et introduire l'écoulement de gaz combiné dans la partie de chambre de flottaison de gaz afin de fournir une source de bulles dispersées micrométriques dans le fluide pour accélérer la portance nécessaire à la séparation des gouttelettes d'huile fines, gouttelettes d'huile émulsionnées, de l'eau s'écoulant dans la partie de chambre de flottation. L'appareil d'introduction des microbulles, devant être comélangé avec le premier écoulement de gaz induit, comprend un mélangeur statique, une pompe DGF, un inducteur et une série de robinets à soupape qui peuvent faire partie du système de flottaison de gaz ou être adaptés à un système de flottaison de gaz existant.
PCT/US2015/035130 2014-06-10 2015-06-10 Cellule de flottation à gaz induit par des microbulles et son procédé de fonctionnement WO2015191730A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201462010325P 2014-06-10 2014-06-10
US62/010,325 2014-06-10

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WO2015191730A1 true WO2015191730A1 (fr) 2015-12-17

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5275732A (en) * 1990-07-03 1994-01-04 International Environmental Systems, Inc., Usa Combined coarse and fine bubble separation system

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5275732A (en) * 1990-07-03 1994-01-04 International Environmental Systems, Inc., Usa Combined coarse and fine bubble separation system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
OWENS, N.; ET AL.: "The use of micro bubble floatation technology in secondary and tertiary produced water treatment-a technical comparison with other separation technologies.", TUV NEL, 5TH PRODUCED WATER WORKSHOP, 31 May 2007 (2007-05-31), Aberdeen, Scotland. *

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