Patent ID: 7513972
Filing Date: 2009-04-07
Classification: B01D,F26B

Abstract:
1. A process for removing and concentrating brine in a waste stream produced from oil and gas well production, said process comprising the steps of: (a) transporting a treatment unit to an oil and gas well production site; (b) separating brine from oil and sludge in the waste stream and pumping the brine to said treatment unit; (c) removing dissolved metals in the brine; (d) heating and evaporating the brine in the treatment unit; and (e) retaining the solid brine resulting from the heating and evaporating step (d), wherein a solid salt product is produced, and wherein the treatment unit of step (a) comprises: (i) a pump for bringing brine to an evaporator unit; (ii) a rotating, evaporator drum; (iii) a drive motor assembly; (iv) a spray assembly for spraying brine onto said evaporator drum; (v) a heating assembly for heating said evaporator drum and brine sprayed thereon; and (vi) a scraping knife for removing solid deposits on said drum that remain after evaporation.