Self-cleaning filtration with spark discharge in produced water

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of using spark type plasma discharges to provide a self-cleaning effect for filtration of produced water. A new co-axial electrode system was developed for the generation of spark discharges in high-conductivity produced water. The validation experiment was conducted with the spark-assisted self-cleaning (SASC) filtration system in both synthetic produced water and actual produced water at different total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) levels and at three different flow rates of 0.126, 0.315, and 0.631L/s (i.e., 2, 5 and 10gpm). The pressure drop across the filter surface was measured over time. The pressure drop obtained without spark discharges increased consistently over time, often resulting in pump failure due to excessive pressure buildup at the pump. The pressure drop obtained with spark discharges was significantly smaller than those obtained without spark discharges. The present study sufficiently demonstrated the validity of the SASC filtration concept. The range of water properties that were shown to be treatable with the SASC filtration system using 10-in cartridge filter of 3- and 5-micron pores was TDS level ⩽50,000mg/L and TSS level ⩽2500mg/L.