Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for treating an aqueous input stream comprising at least one suspended and/or emulsified immiscible phase (e.g., oil, grease) and, in some cases, one or more additional contaminants, such as solubilized bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) ions, solubilized divalent cations (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), solubilized trivalent cations (e.g., Fe³⁺, Al³⁺), organic material (e.g., humic acid, fulvic acid), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and/or suspended solids. According to certain embodiments, the aqueous feed stream is supplied to a water treatment system comprising a chemical coagulation apparatus and a suspended solids removal apparatus (e.g., a clarifier). Within the chemical coagulation apparatus, an amount of an inorganic coagulant (e.g., aluminum chlorohydrate, polyaluminum chloride), an amount of a strong base (e.g., sodium hydroxide), and an amount of a polyelectrolyte (e.g., polyacrylamide) may be added to the aqueous input stream to form a chemically-treated stream. In some embodiments, the inorganic coagulant, strong base, and/or polyelectrolyte may induce coagulation and/or flocculation of at least a portion of the contaminants within the aqueous input stream, and the chemically-treated stream may comprise a plurality of flocs (i.e., particle agglomerates). In some embodiments, the chemically-treated stream is directed to flow to the suspended solids removal apparatus. Within the suspended solids removal apparatus, a plurality of flocs may be removed from the chemically-treated stream to form a contaminant-diminished stream having a lower concentration of contaminants than the aqueous input stream. In some embodiments, the chemically-treated stream and the contaminant-diminished stream each have a pH of about 8 or less. In some embodiments, the chemically-treated stream and the contaminant-diminished stream each have a temperature of about 15° C. or less.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim