A Novel, Cost Effective and Easily Scaled Solution for On-Site Treatment of Oily Wastes

Abstract

Treatment and management of oil-impacted wastes (e.g. tank bottoms, clarifier or pit sludge, oil-impacted soils) poses significant technical and financial challenges at exploration and production (E&P) facilities. Often these materials are distant from waste disposal or treatment facilities or are inaccessible to the equipment necessary for treatment. Further, the size of treatment facilities and associated costs may make treatment of these wastes unviable. Heated Overland Thermal Treatment Pad (Hottpad), is a novel, cost-effective and easily scaled solution for oil impacted wastes at E&P sites that has been developed and field demonstrated. Hottpad consists of a metal pad with metal or dirt-bermed walls, which is then covered with oily waste material or oil-impacted soil for subsequent treatment via smouldering combustion. Since initial deployment in 2016, the technology has been further improved and refined to target two applications of interest; i) small, portable systems designed for treatment of stranded wastes and ii) centralized, bespoke scale treatment facilities. Both systems are designed for on-site treatment with conversion of wastes to materials suitable for reuse. The current Hottpad configuration is the culmination of more than 8 years of collaborative research, technology development, refinement and improvement. Hottpad has been demonstrated to be highly effective at meeting remediation goals, is cost-effective, and is a more sustainable and lower risk alternative to the traditional means of treatment that rely on off-site transport of impacted materials.