WO2017040010A1

WO2017040010A1 - Material separation devices, systems, and related methods

Info

Publication number: WO2017040010A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/046996
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jana KAY
Original assignee: Strategy Earth, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-08-28
Filing date: 2016-08-15
Publication date: 2017-03-09

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for separating two or more liquids that are mixed together one from another, separating solids and/or semisolids that are mixed with one or more liquids from the liquid(s), and/or combinations thereof

Description

MATERIAL SEPARATION DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/211,481 filed on 28 August 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various devices are commonly used to separate solids or semi-solids suspended in or mixed with a liquid from such liquid. Likewise, various devices may be used to separate two liquids mixed together. For example, wastewater from an oil drilling or shale oil operation may include a substantial percentage of oil therein (e.g., about 8 percent). Such wastewater may be first placed into a gravitational separation vault (or a series of vaults) to separate heavier oil particles or clumps out of the wastewater (e.g., the heavier oil particles may fall to the bottom of the vault under gravity). In some instances, after separating the heavier particles, the remaining wastewater may be transferred into an evaporation pond, where water may evaporate from the wastewater, leaving the remaining oil and/or other byproduct at the bottom of the evaporation pond.

[0003] Manufacturers and users of devices, systems, and methods for separating solids and/or semisolids from liquids, two or more different liquids from one another, or combinations thereof continue to seek improved separation devices, systems, and methods.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for separating two or more liquids that are mixed together one from another, separating solids and/or semisolids that are mixed with one or more liquids from the liquid(s), and/or combinations thereof. Generally, for ease of description such two-liquid, liquid-solid, and liquid-semisolid mixtures are referred to as wastewater. For example, wastewater may include water and oil mixture (e.g. , wastewater may have approximately 8% by weight oil, which is mixed with water and/or other liquids). At least one embodiment includes a filtration system that may separate at least some of the solids and semisolids from wastewater as byproducts.

[0005] An embodiment includes a filtration system for filtering wastewater that includes water and byproduct. The filtration system includes a containment chamber and a filter container removably positionable in the containment chamber. When the filter container is positioned in the containment chamber, the filter container and the containment chamber define a processing volume having an inlet and an outlet. The filtration system also includes a filter element positioned in the containment chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The filter element includes a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the byproduct in the wastewater from the water therein.

[0006] An embodiment includes a filtration system for filtering wastewater that includes water and byproduct mixture. The filtration system includes a plurality of containment chambers and a plurality filter containers each of which is removably positionable in corresponding ones of the plurality of containment chambers. The plurality of filter containers and the plurality of containment chambers define a plurality of processing volumes. Each processing volume of the plurality of processing volumes includes a corresponding inlet and outlet. The filtration system also includes one or more filter elements positioned in corresponding ones of the plurality of containment chambers. The one or more filter elements include a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the byproduct in the wastewater from the water therein.

[0007] An embodiment includes a method of filtering wastewater containing oil- based byproduct and water and separating at least some of the oil-based byproduct from the water. The method includes flowing the wastewater through an inlet of a filtration system and onto a filter element thereof. The filter element includes a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the oil-based byproduct from water, thereby producing filtered water at a discharge outlet. The method also includes retaining at least some of the byproduct at a top of the filter element. The method further includes removing the byproduct from the top of the filter element.

[0008] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0010] FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of a filtration system, according to at least one embodiment;

[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of the filtration system of FIGS. 1-2;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the filtration system of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a collapsed configuration, according to at least one embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a partially disassembled filtration system of

FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment;

[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic front and back views of a filtration system, according to at least one embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the filtration system of FIGS. 6 and 7;

[0016] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic front and side views of a frame of the filtration system of FIGS. 6 and 7, according to at least one embodiment; and

[0017] FIG. 9C is a schematic top view of the frame of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices, systems, and methods for separating two or more liquids that are mixed together one from another, separating solids and/or semisolids that are mixed with one or more liquids from the liquid(s), and/or combinations thereof. Generally, for ease of description such two-liquid, liquid-solid, and liquid-semisolid mixtures are referred to as wastewater. For example, wastewater may include water and oil mixture (e.g. , wastewater may have approximately 8% by weight oil, which is mixed with water and/or other liquids). At least one embodiment includes a filtration system that may separate at least some of the solids and semisolids from wastewater as byproducts.

[0019] Generally, the filtration system may separate water from one or more other liquids, solids, and semisolids in the wastewater. In particular, for instance, the filtration system may accept wastewater through one or more inlets, and may produce filtered water at a first outlet and a removed byproduct at a second outlet. For example, the filtration system may produce at least partially filtered water at the first or discharge outlet and oil and oil sludge at the second or byproduct outlet (e.g. , oil-based byproduct, such as oil and oil sludge, may be removed from the wastewater).

[0020] Hence, in some embodiments, the filtration system may be deployed for filtering wastewater from oil and gas drilling operations. Furthermore, the filtration system may be used at water treatment plants and the like. In additional or alternative embodiments, the filtration system may be deployed for oil spill cleanups, for cleaning water from injection wells, streams, rivers, among others.

[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a filtration system 100, according to at least one embodiment. The filtration system 100 may include one or more containment chambers 110 (e.g., containment chambers 110a, 110b) that may contain corresponding one or more filter elements, as described below in more detail. For example, the filtration system 100 may include a filter container 120 that may facilitate securing one or more filter elements 150 (FIG. 2) in the corresponding containment chambers 110 of the filtration system 100. FIG. 1 illustrates the filter container 120 elevated out of the containment chamber 110a with the filter element removed therefrom. FIG. 2 illustrates the filter container 120 partially elevated out of the containment chamber 110a, such that the filter element 150 is accessible (e.g., for removing byproduct therefrom, for at least partially removing and/or replacing the filter element, as described below in more detail).

[0022] Generally, the filter element 150 may include or be formed of particulate medium, such as sand, suitably sized rocks, gravel, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, minerals, grains, combinations thereof, and the like, which may be placed in the filter container 120. In some embodiments, the filter element 150 may include a layer or bed of particulate medium. For example, the layer or bed of particulate medium may be graded or leveled, such that top or exposed upper portion of the layer or bed of particular medium is approximately planar. In some embodiments, the filter element 150 may include two or more layers, with the particulate medium of each of the two or more layers having a different composition or an average particle size. It should be appreciated, however, that the exposed particulate medium may define or form any suitable shape or may lie along any suitable surface that may be planar or nonplanar. For example, an average particle size of the particulate medium may be about 70 μιη to about 3.0 mm, about 90 μιη to about 200 μιη, about 100 μιη to about 200 μιη, 0.25 mm to about 0.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 2 mm, about 2 mm to about 4 mm, about 4 mm to about 8 mm. For example, sand typically has an average particle size of about 70 μιη to about 3.0 mm, about 90 μιη to about 200 μιη, about 100 μιη to about 200 μηι, 0.25 mm to about 0.5 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 1 mm, or about 1 mm to about 2 mm, while gravel typically has an average particle size of 2 mm to about 4 mm, or about 4 mm to about 8 mm. Of course, the particulate medium may be formed from any one or combinations of the disclosed particulate materials and exhibit a bimodal or greater particle size distribution in which each mode may be chosen from any of the disclosed average particle sizes for the particulate materials. In any event, as the wastewater passes through the filter element 150, the particulate medium of the filter element may at least partially separate byproduct (e.g., oil, sludge, solids, etc.) from the water and allow filtered water to pass therethrough to another portion or compartment of the filtration system 100.

[0023] The filter container 120 may include one or more panels that may define the general shape and size of the filter container 120. For example, the filter container 120 may include side panels 121 and a top panel 122 that may be connected to the side panels 121 and/or integrated therewith. Moreover, the filter container 120 may include a bottom 123 that may facilitate flow of filtered water out of the filter container 120. For example, the bottom 123 may have one or more openings formed between and/or defined by support elements. Filtered water may pass through the openings in the bottom 123 of the filter container 120 and may enter another portion or compartment of the filtration system 100, as described below.

[0024] In some embodiments, the bottom 123 of the filter container 120 may include a mesh or screen positioned on the support elements. For example, the support elements may be spaced from one another such that the particulate medium of the filter element may pass therebetween (e.g., the support elements may be spaced too far from one another to support the particulate medium. The mesh or screen (or a similar element) positioned on the support elements may have suitably small openings and/or water permeability to support a bed or layer of particulate medium thereon (e.g. , the openings may be smaller than the average size of the particles or granule of the particulate medium), while allowing filtered water to pass therethrough. In any event, in at least one embodiment, the side panels 121, top panel 122, and the bottom 123 may partially define a processing volume 130 that may house filter element(s).

[0025] As mentioned above, in FIG. 1 substantially the entire filter container 120 is shown elevated out of the containment chamber 110a. In particular, the filtration system 100 may include a hoist assembly 140 that may be positioned and configured to elevate the filter container 120 out of the containment chamber 110a. For example, the hoist assembly 140 may include a hoist 141 that lift the filter container 120 out of the containment chamber 110a. Moreover, the filter container 120 may be elevated to any suitable height. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the filter container 120 may be elevated such that top of filter element 150 is positioned near or below the top of the containment chamber containment chamber 110a.

[0026] If the illustrated embodiment, the hoist 141 may be movably attached to a support beam (e.g., to an I-beam), such that hoist 141 may be repositioned along the support beam, between the containment chamber 110a and containment chamber 110b. For example, the hoist 141 may be positioned over the containment chamber 110a to elevate the filter container 120 therefrom. The hoist 141 may be moved or repositioned along the support beam and placed over the containment chamber 110b to elevate a filter container therefrom. In some embodiments, the filtration system 100 may include dedicated filter containers for some or for each of the containment chamber 110 (e.g., the containment chamber 110a may have the filter container 120 dedicated thereto, and the containment chamber 110b may have another filter container dedicated thereto). Alternatively, two or more containment chambers may share a filter container (e.g., the filtration system 100 may include a single filter container 120 that may be inserted into the containment chamber 110a or 110b, as may be suitable for a particular operation).

[0027] In some embodiments, the filtration system 100 may include one or more stationary hoists. For example, one or more stationary hoists may be positioned over one, some, or each of the containment chambers. Accordingly, for example, the multiple filter containers may be simultaneously elevated out of respective containment chambers and/or held at an elevated position. Analogously, the filtration system 100 may include multiple movable hoists 141, which may be repositioned along the support beam.

[0028] In an embodiment, as mentioned above, wastewater may pass through the filter element 150 and byproduct may be separated therefrom and may at least partially remain on top of the filter element 150. Under some operating conditions, the flow of wastewater in one, some, or each filter container 120 may be stopped, and one, some, or each filter container 120 may be elevated to a suitable height, such as to position the byproduct therein near the top of the containment chamber 110a. In particular, such positioning may facilitate removal of the byproduct from the filter element 150 (e.g., from the top of the filter element 150). The byproduct may be removed from the filtration system 100 (e.g., the byproduct may be removed manually, such as by shoveling or scraping the byproduct out of the filter container 120, or the removal may be at least partially automated, as described below in more detail). In an embodiment, a portion of the medium of the filter element 150 may be removed together with the byproduct (e.g., after removal of the byproduct, the thickness of the filter element 150 may be reduced). In an embodiment, after removal of byproduct, the filter container 120 may be lower into the containment chamber 110a or position therein at an operating height and the flow of wastewater into the processing volume 130 may resume (as described below in more detail).

[0029] Generally, the containment chambers 110 may have any number of suitable configurations that may vary from one embodiment to the next. In the illustrated embodiment, the containment chambers 110 is formed or defined by panels 111 that may be secured to and/or supported by a lower frame portion 101a of the filtration system 100.

The filtration system 100 may include any number of containment chambers 110.

Moreover, two or more of the containment chambers 110 may share one or more panels

111 (e.g., one or more panels 111 may form or define interior spaces of two or more containment chambers 110 and/or a portion of the processing volume 130). As described above, the filter container 120 may be positioned in the interior space of the containment chambers 110, at any suitable height or location.

[0030] Furthermore, any number of the containment chambers 110 may operate concurrently. Under some operating conditions, a single containment chamber 110 may be operated. Alternatively, multiple containment chambers 110 may be operated at the same time and/or operation of the containment chambers 110 may be staggered (e.g., such that at least one containment chamber 110 of the filtration system 100 continues to operate while one or more other containment chambers 110 are serviced, such as to remove the byproduct therefrom). Moreover, as mentioned above, each of the containment chambers 110 may include a dedicated filter container 120 or a single filter container 120 may be shared among multiple containment chambers 110 of the filtration system 100.

[0031] In an embodiment, the filtration system 100 may include a frame 101 that may support and/or connect various elements and components of the filtration system 100. For example, the frame 101 may include the lower frame portion 101a and an upper frame portion 101b that may be connected to and/or incorporate with the lower frame portion 101a. In some embodiments, the upper frame portion 101b may be detachable and/or removable from the lower frame portion 101a. Additionally or alternatively, the upper frame portion may be lowered, such as to reduce overall height profile of the filtration system 100 (e.g., for transporting and/or storing the filtration system 100).

[0032] Generally, the filter container 120 and the processing volume 130 may have any number of suitable configurations. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate cross-sectional views of the filter container 120, according to one or more embodiments. Specifically, the cross-section is through the first containment chamber 110a and through the filter container 120 positioned therein. The filter container 120 is shown lowered in the first containment chamber 110a (e.g., in an operating position), such as to define the processing volume 130. Generally, the processing volume 130 may be substantially watertight, such that the wastewater is forced to flow through the filtering element and out of the discharge outlet 160. For example, the processing volume 130 may be defined by the panels 111 of the containment chamber 110a, side panels 121 (only one shown), top panel 122, and bottom 123 of the filter container 120.

[0033] The filtered water may flow through the filter element (not shown) that may be positioned in the processing volume 130 and toward the bottom 123 of the filter container 120. For example, the bottom 123 may include support members 124 and a mesh 125 positioned thereon, which may collectively define the bottom 123 of the filter container 120. The mesh 125 may facilitate flow of the filtered water out of the processing volume 130.

[0034] For example, filtered water may pass through filter element (as described below in more detail), through the mesh 125, and onto a bottom panel 126 of the filter container 120. In some embodiments, the support members 124 may have openings and/or channels therein to facilitate and/or allow flow of filtered water toward a point or a location for draining out of the filter container 120. As mentioned above, the filter container 120 may include the discharge outlet 160, and the filtered water may be directed toward the filter element 150 (e.g., along the bottom panel 126 of the filter container 120). Under some operating conditions, the filtered water may be further pumped from the discharge outlet 160 to any number of suitable locations (e.g., evaporation pools).

[0035] The wastewater may enter the processing volume 130 through a wastewater inlet 170 and may flow downward toward the bottom 123 of the filter container 120 (e.g., under gravity). In an embodiment, the filter container 120 may include one or more baffles extending into the processing volume 130. For example the filter container 120 may include baffles 127a, 127b, 127c that may be attached to and/or integrated with the top panel 122 and may extend downward therefrom and into the processing volume 130 (e.g., one, some, or each of the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may be oriented substantially transversely relative to the inlet and/or relatively to the general direction of the flow of wastewater 10), such as to deflect the wastewater 10 flowing into the processing volume 130. Under some operating conditions, when the waste water enters the processing volume 130 through the wastewater inlet 170, the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may facilitate a more even distribution of the wastewater on the filter element (as compared to the processing volume 130 that does not have the baffles).

[0036] In an embodiment, the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may be oriented generally perpendicularly to the direction of flow of the wastewater. Moreover, the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may extend the entire width of the processing volume 130 (e.g., between opposing sidewalls 121 of the filter container 120). It should be appreciated, however, that the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may have any suitable width (e.g., the width may be less than the width of the processing volume 130) and/or height and/or may be oriented at any suitable angle relative to the flow of wastewater. Also, the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may be mounted on and/or integrated with the side panels 121 and/or with panels 111 of the containment chamber 110a.

[0037] As described above, the filter container 120 may be elevated or lifted at least partially out of the containment chamber 110a. For example, a lift or hoist ring 142 or a similar element (e.g., eye bolt, etc.) may be attached to the top panel 122 of the filter container 120. In an embodiment, a lift hook of the hoist (described above) may hook into the hoist ring 142 and the hoist may be operated to lift the filter container 120 out of the containment chambers 110.

[0038] In an embodiment, the filter container 120 may include a viewing door 128 that may be hingedly and/or removably attached to the top panel 122. For example, when the filter container 120 is lowered into the containment chambers 110 (e.g., during operation of the filtration system 100), the door 128 may be opened to view the flow and/or processing of the wastewater in the processing volume 130. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the processing volume 130 may be visible through the door 128.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3B, wastewater 10 may flow and/or may be pumped into the processing volume 130. Moreover, as mentioned above, the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may distribute wastewater 10 over the filter element 150. For example, two or more of the baffles 127a, 127b, 127c may extend downward by different distances, such as to suitably interfere with the flow of wastewater 10 in the manner that distributes the wastewater 10 within the processing volume 130. The filter element 150 may include or comprise a body or layer of any suitable medium of any suitable size. Moreover, the body or layer of the medium that defines the filter element 150 may have any suitable thickness, width, and height (e.g., thickness, width, and height of the filter element 150 may be suitable for removing a desired or suitable amount of byproduct from wastewater). For example, the filter element 150 may include sand of suitable size to facilitate flow of wastewater 10 therethrough and to facilitate separating particulate, solids, or other byproduct from the wastewater 10.

[0040] In an embodiment, the filter element 150 may be positioned on and/or supported by the mesh 125. Moreover, the mesh 125 and the bottom of the filter element 150 may be spaced from the bottom panel 126 (e.g., the support members 124 may space the mesh 125 from the bottom panel 126). The filtered water may flow out of the filter element 150 and into the space between the bottom of the filter element 150 and the bottom panel 126. As described above, filtered water may flow along the bottom panel 126, and toward the discharge outlet.

[0041] The wastewater 10 may pass through the filter element 150, and byproduct

20 may be separated therefrom by the filter element 150. In some embodiments, byproduct 20 that is separated from wastewater 10 may remain on the and/or near top surface 151 of the filter element 150. As described above, the filter container 120 may be elevated or lifted at least partially out of the containment chambers 110. In particular, the filter container 120 may be elevated out of the containment chambers 110 to remove byproduct 20 from the filter element 150 (as described above). Under some operating conditions, the filter container 120 may be at least partially elevated to remove and/or replace at least a portion of the medium defining the filter element 150.

[0042] As described above, the filtration system may be reconfigured to a smaller height for transportation and/or storage. FIG. 4 illustrates the filtration system 100 in a collapsed configuration, according to at least one embodiment. For example, the frame 101 may be collapsed to reduce the height of the filtration system 100. More specifically, in at least one embodiment, the upper frame portion 101b may include vertical support members 101b' that may be movably positioned inside corresponding vertical support members 101a' of the lower frame portion 101a.

[0043] In some embodiments, when the frame 101 is in the expanded or deployed configuration, the upper frame portion 101b may be moved upward, at least partially withdrawing the vertical support members 101b' out of the vertical support members 101a' (the frame 101 of the filtration system 100 is shown in deployed configuration in FIGS. 1 and 2). Furthermore, the upper frame portion 101b may be secured to the lower frame portion 101a at the extended position (e.g., one or more pins, fasteners, etc., may secure vertical support members 101b' to the vertical support members 101a' at the selected position). The upper frame portion 101b (e.g., vertical support member 101b') may be unfastened from the lower frame portion 101a and may be lowered, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the upper frame portion may be removed from the lower frame portion 101a, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the upper frame portion may be stored and/or transported separately from the lower frame portion 101a. Also, removing the upper frame portion from the lower frame portion 101a may facilitate access to the containment chambers 110 and/or filter container 120 of the filtration system 100.

[0045] It should be appreciated that the filtration system may vary from one embodiment to another. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a filtration system 200, according to at least one embodiment. In particular, the filtration system 200 may include multiple filter elements 250 (e.g. , filter elements 250a, 250b, 250c) that may be located inside corresponding containment chambers containment chamber 210 (e.g., containment chambers 210a, 210b, 210c). Except as otherwise described herein, the filtration system 200 and its elements and components may be similar to or the same as the filtration system 100 (FIGS. 1-5) and its corresponding elements and components.

[0046] Generally, the containment chambers 210 may have any suitable size and/or shape, which may vary from one embodiment to the next. In an embodiment, the containment chambers 210 may have one or more walls or sides, which collectively may define the inner and/or outer dimensions of the chambers 210 (e.g., height, length, and width of the containment chamber 210). In an embodiment, the containment chambers 210 may, collectively, have a length of approximately 10 feet, a width of approximately 6 feet, and a height of approximately 6 feet. It should be appreciated, however, that the containment chambers 210 may have a length that is less than or greater than 10 feet, a width and/or a height that is less than or greater than 6 feet, or combinations thereof.

[0047] In an embodiment, a bottom 213 of the filtration system 200 may slope toward a discharge outlet 260 (FIG. 7), such that filtered water flowing out of the filter elements 250 may flow to and along the bottom 213 and toward the discharge outlet 260. In other words, the discharge outlet 260 may be in fluid communication with an output side of one, some, or all of the filter elements 250. In some examples, one or more of the filter elements 250 may be at least partially removed from the containment chambers 210 (e.g., while maintaining one or more portions of the containment chamber 210 substantially watertight). As such, in some instances, the filtration system 200 may continue processing wastewater while one or more of the filter elements 250 may be at least partially removed out of the corresponding containment chambers 210.

[0048] In some embodiments, one, some, or each of the containment chambers

210 may accept wastewater and may pass the accepted wastewater through the respective filter elements 250 therein. Moreover, the wastewater flowing into a particular one of containment chambers 210 may be at least substantially isolated or prevented from flowing across and/or into an adjacent one of the containment chambers 210. In other words, for instance, wastewater entering the containment chamber 210a may flow through the filter element 250a and toward the bottom 213 of the filtration system 200, while one or more barriers or walls between the containment chambers 210a and 210b may prevent the wastewater from flowing from the containment chamber 210a into containment chamber 210b, and vice versa.

[0049] Accordingly, for example, the filter element 250a may be at least partially removed from the containment chamber 210s (e.g. , for maintenance and/or removal of byproduct), while the filtration system 200 may continue processing or filtering wastewater. More specifically, for instance, while the filter element 250a is at least partially out of the containment chamber 210a, the wastewater may be directed into the containment chambers 210b and/or 210c (e.g., through respective wastewater inlets 270 (270b, 270c)); the wastewater may pass through the respective filter elements 250b and 250c and toward the bottom 213 of the filtration system 200. In other words, the barriers or walls between the containment chambers 210a and the 210b, for example, may prevent the wastewater from flowing therebetween, such that the wastewater is directed through the filter elements 250b, 250c, toward the bottom 213, and toward the discharge outlet 260 (FIG. 7) of the filtration system 200.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, the filter containers 220 of the filtration system 200 may include corresponding ones of the filter elements 250 that may include particulate media that may filter the wastewater as the wastewater passes therethrough, thereby separating the byproduct from the filtered water that may exit of flow out of the filter elements 250. As described above, in some instances, the filter elements 250 may be at least partially removed from the containment chamber 210 for maintenance and/or service (e.g. , to add and/or replace the particulate media in the filter container 220). Additionally or alternatively, the filter elements 250 may be at least partially removed from the containment chamber 210 to remove byproduct filtered thereby from the wastewater.

[0051] For instance, the filter elements 250 may be lifted (e.g. , vertically) out of the containment chambers 210 through an opening (or multiple openings, each of which may correspond to one or more of the containment chambers 210). In an embodiment, the filtration system 200 may include a lifting mechanism that may automate or assist lifting of the filter containers 220 together with corresponding filter elements 250 out of the containment chambers 210 to a sufficient height, such as to provide sufficient access to the particular media and/or to the byproduct on the corresponding filter elements 250. For example, the filtration system 200 may include a traveling hoist 300, which may be advanced along a support beam (e.g. an I-beam 310) that may be secured above the openings of the containment chambers 210. More specifically, the hoist 300 may be positioned over one or more of the filter containers 220 intended for lifting (e.g., as shown in FIG 6 over the filter container 220 that secures filter element 250a) and may be operated to lift the selected filter container 220 together with filter element 250 to a suitable position. In some embodiments, after lifting the selected filter element(s) 250, such the filter container 220 together with the corresponding filter element 250 may be secured to the I-beam 310, and the hoist 300 may be disconnected from such filter element 250.

[0052] In any event, in at least one embodiment, the filter elements 250 may be positioned at a suitable height that may allow or facilitate removal of byproduct therefrom. For instance, as shown in FIG. 8, the filtration system 200 may include a byproduct removal mechanism 290 (e.g. , which may be secured or attached to the containment chamber 210 of the filtration system 200). The removal mechanism 290 may include an articulated arm 291 that may advance one or more scrapers or paddles across the top of the elevated filter element 250, thereby removing at least some of the byproduct therefrom.

[0053] In an embodiment, as the articulated arm 291 may move the scrapers near the top of one or more of the filter elements 250, the byproduct may be off the filter elements 250 and into a byproduct tank 320. In some embodiments, the byproduct tank 320 may be located outside of the containment chambers 210. For instance, a slide 321 may guide the byproduct from the filter elements 250 into the byproduct tank 320. Subsequently, for example, the byproduct may be removed from the byproduct tank 320 and, in some instances, further processed (e.g., in a retort). It should be appreciated that any number of suitable mechanisms for removing byproduct from the filter elements 250 may be included in or attached to the filtration system 200. Moreover, the byproduct may be manually removed from the filter elements 250 and/or moved to a suitable location (e.g., to the byproduct tank 320).

[0054] As mentioned above, the filtration system 200 may include one or more panels that may define the sides thereof. In at least one embodiment, the filtration system 200 may include a frame 202 to which the panels may be secured, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. For instance, the frame 202 may include multiple members and/or trusses interconnected together to form the frame 202. In an embodiment, the members comprising the frame 202 may be I-beams or similar structural elements that may be secured together.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9C, in some embodiments, the filtration system 200 may be mounted on a platform 330 (e.g. , to facilitate transportation of the filtration system 200). For example, as described above, the filtration system 200 may be secured to and/or incorporated with a trailer. Furthermore, the platform 330 may provide additional rigidity and/or support for the frame 202.

[0056] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A filtration system for filtering wastewater that includes water and byproduct, the filtration system comprising:

a containment chamber;

a filter container removably positionable in the containment chamber; when the filter container is positioned in the containment chamber, the filter container and the containment chamber defining a processing volume having an inlet and an outlet; and a filter element positioned in the containment chamber between the inlet and the outlet, the filter element including a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the byproduct in the wastewater from the water therein.

2. The filtration system of claim 1, further comprising one or more baffles positioned inside the processing volume, when the filter container is positioned in the containment chamber.

3. The filtration system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more baffles is oriented substantially transversely relative to the inlet.

4. The filtration system of claim 2, wherein the one or more baffles extend downward from a top panel of the filter container and into the processing volume.

5. The filtration system of claim 4, wherein at least two of the baffles extend downward by a different distance from the top panel.

6. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the filter container includes a mesh supporting the particulate medium, and the outlet is positioned below the mesh.

7. The filtration system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of supporting members positioned below the mesh and supporting the mesh and the particulate medium.

8. The filtration system of claim 7, wherein the filter container includes a bottom panel, two opposing side panels, the bottom panel, the top panel, and the two side panels being connected together a portion of the processing volume.

9. The filtration system of claim 8, wherein the bottom panel supports the supporting members.

10. The filtration system of claim 8, wherein the outlet extends through the bottom panel.

11. The filtration system of claim 1, further comprising a hoist positioned above the filter container and operably connected thereto, the filter container being movable upwards and downwards in the containment chamber by the hoist.

12. A filtration system for filtering wastewater that includes water and byproduct mixture, the filtration system comprising:

a plurality of containment chambers;

a plurality of filter containers each of which is removably positionable in corresponding ones of the plurality of containment chambers, the plurality of filter containers and the plurality of containment chambers defining a plurality of processing volumes, each processing volume of the plurality of processing volumes including a corresponding inlet and outlet; and

one or more filter elements positioned in corresponding ones of the plurality of containment chambers, the one or more filter elements including a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the byproduct in the wastewater from the water therein.

13. The filtration system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of baffles positioned inside the processing volumes.

14. The filtration system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of baffles are positioned in a manner that directs distribution of wastewater along each filter element of the plurality of filter elements.

15. The filtration system of claim 12, wherein each filter container of the plurality of filter containers includes a mesh supporting the particulate medium, and the outlet is positioned below the mesh.

16. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein each filter container of the plurality of filter containers includes a plurality of supporting members positioned below the mesh and supporting the mesh and the particulate medium.

17. The filtration system of claim 12, further comprising a hoist positioned above the plurality of filter containers and selectively connectable to at least one filter container of the plurality of filter containers in a manner that the at least one filter container is movable upwards and downwards in the containment chamber by the hoist.

18. The filtration system of claim 17, wherein the hoist is repositionable to selectively connect to a first filter container of the plurality of filter containers or to a second filter container of the plurality of filter containers.

19. A method of filtering wastewater containing oil-based byproduct and water and separating at least some of the oil-based byproduct from the water, the method comprising:

flowing the wastewater through an inlet of a filtration system and onto a filter element thereof, the filter element including a particulate medium having a thickness that is sized and configured to separate at least some of the oil-based byproduct from water, thereby producing filtered water at a discharge outlet;

retaining at least some of the byproduct at a top of the filter element; and removing the byproduct from the top of the filter element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein removing the byproduct from the top of the filter element includes raising the filter element.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the top of the filter element is approximately planar, and removing the byproduct from the top of the filter element includes removing a portion of the particulate medium of the filter element.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising flowing the wastewater through another inlet of the filtration system and onto another filter element thereof.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the byproduct comprises about 8 percent by weight of the wastewater.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the filtered water includes between about 0.1% and about 0.2 percent of byproduct therein.