An Integrated Approach to Produced Water Treatment using Sand Filtration, Activated Carbon and Microemulsions modified Activated Carbon

Abstract

The produced water from natural gas production process in the North field offshore is considered as the largest wastewater volume in Qatar, which could be potentially used for clean water resources for the industry as well as for some other domestic uses, if it is treated properly. This research aims to study the physical and chemical characterizations of the produced water from the North field and examine the removal of major inorganic and organic pollutants and heavy metals from the PW by using different treatments method such as using the sand filtration, activated carbon filtration and modified activated carbon filtration. The physical and chemical characterization of produced water was examined followed by treatment through sand filtration coupled with activated carbon and microemulsion modified activated carbon techniques. The results of characterization showed that the produced water had high concentration of COD, TOC, BTEX and various metals. After sand filtration, considerable reduction in TSS and COD was achieved. Furthermore, BTEX were also removed by more than 93% except for toluene. However, sand filtration was not enough to remove most of the metals and ions. Therefore, further treatment was done through activated carbon and modified activated carbon and their treatment efficiency was compared. Both techniques were able to achieve higher removal efficiencies for BTEX, metals and ions. Thus, the treated water was free from all major pollutants of PW and can be considered suitable for reuse at industrial application. Further studies and applications could be applied on produced water such as studying the biological characterization and applying biological treatment processes.