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Wastewater Reclamation for the Oil Patch

February 17, 2015

NORAM and memsys GmbH, have joined forces to advance the innovative memsys® thermal process for purifying salt-laden process water in the North American oil sands and heavy oil steam stimulation production arena. A combination of robust design and adaptable operation makes the memsys® thermal process uniquely suited to cost-effective water recovery in these water-constrained industries.

The memsys process® takes advantage of low-grade waste-heat using membrane distillation to produce high-quality distilled water. The patented Vacuum Multi-Effect Membrane Distillation system allows the re-use of a large fraction of wastewater by targeting waste-streams such as boiler blowdown in Once-Through Steam Generators (OTSG) and other steam stimulation systems. The key advantages of the highly integrated system include dramatic energy savings, very high distillate quality, and the ability to handle brines approaching saturation using more cost-effective non-metallic materials, combined with a modular system approach.

memsys systems have a robust track record worldwide for treating heavily contaminated water and brines with high total dissolved solids (TDS), and find application in brine management, seawater desalination, and industrial wastewater treatment. An innovative flow sheet developed by memsys and NORAM within the framework of their Joint Technology Alliance positions the technology for wider application in the oil sands and heavy oil water recovery/recycle operations.

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