Patent ID: 9127540
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B01D,C02F,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of recovering oil, treating resulting produced water, and utilizing the treated produced water to generate steam for injection into an oil-bearing formation, the method comprising: a. collecting an oil-water mixture from the oil-bearing formation; b. separating the oil from the oil-water mixture to produce oil and the produced water; c. concentrating the produced water to form a concentrate and a diluted stream; d. directing the diluted stream directly or indirectly to a steam generator and producing steam; e. directing the steam into the oil-bearing formation; f. directing the concentrate to a steam-operated drum dryer having a pair of side-by-side counter-rotating drums; g. depositing the concentrate on an upper portion of the drum dryer; h. drying the concentrate with the drum dryer by rotating the drums and directing the concentrate through a nip formed between the counter-rotating drums; and, i. after the concentrate passes through the nip of the counter-rotating drums, collecting the dried concentrate.