MEMORANDUM

TO: Record

FROM: James K. O’Connell, ERG

DATE: January 6, 2016

SUBJECT: CoilChem, LLC Treatment Technology Memorandum (DCN SGE01261)

EPA received email communication from Michael W. Martin of CoilChem, LLC on 

October 1, 2015. He introduced himself, explaining that he has been involved with 

environmental consulting and wastewater technologies for over forty years. This memorandum is 

a summary of Mr. Martin’s communication with EPA, which includes a summary of CoilChem

LLC’s treatment process, a combined oxidation and separation technology designed to remove 

suspended solids. Supplemental information about CoilChem, LLC’s treatment technology can 

be found in ALL Consulting, LLC’s 2015 publication, “Assessment of CoilChem’s Water 

Treatment Technology” (DCN SGE01228). The assessment is a thorough overview of their 

treatment process, including water analytic results, a technology write-up, and pictures of the test 

site.

CoilChem, LLC currently has one fracturing fluid recycling system in West Texas. In 

August of 2015, the system was processing about 20,000 barrels of produced water per day 

(bbl/day). According to CoilChem, LLC, the system has been in continuous operation for over 

90 days without a single day of down time.

Water is pumped from the operator to CoilChem, LLC’s accelerated oxidation processing 

equipment and the pH is measured. The waste stream is then subjected to a hydrogen peroxide 

treatment to help precipitate iron, destroy bacteria, and remove dissolved solids. Using a square 

tubing bundle reactor with directional changes, CoilChem, LLC creates a cavitation effect to 

help further disassociate solids from the water. The fluid passes through a weir tank and then 

through a coalescing media to assist in capturing clean oil from the surface. Finally, a biocide is 

injected to prevent bacterial growth while storing the water until reuse.

This CoilChem, LLC system has a small footprint consisting of two containers, each

eight by forty feet. The first container houses the proprietary Hydration/Reactor system and 

computer/controllers that monitor and maintain the chemistry of the water on a real time basis. 

The second container houses the separation system where the solids/liquids disassociate. 

According to CoilChem, LLC, the system is achieving effluent turbidity measurements 

less than or equal to 1 NTU and achieving TSS removals of 95% or better and between 8% and 

22% TDS removals when comparing the influent versus the effluent. The system can be 
Memorandum

January 6, 2016

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expanded to treat volumes of wastewater greater than the 20,000 bbl/day being treated at the 

CoilChem, LLC system in West Texas by adding ancillary equipment. 

CoilChem, LLC believes oil and gas operators are taking water from aquifers at huge 

rates, causing a significant drop in water levels in major Texas aquifers. CoilChem, LLC

believes there system could help reduce ground water depletion in many areas of the country. 

CoilChem, LLC invited EPA for a site visit and offered to share relevant data. 

The website for CoilChem, LLC is www.coilchemllc.com, and Jerry Noles, the inventor 

of this system, is the primary contact (800-630-3922).