Patent ID: 8147696

Claim:
A process for removing at least some contaminants selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, Cu, Zn, iron, Mn, Al, SiO 2 , TOC, oil, grease and TDS and TSS from a contaminated water stream, the process consisting essentially of: a) collecting a quantity of the water stream containing said contaminants for treatment; b) analyzing the water stream containing said contaminants for a composition and an amount of said contaminants in the water stream; c) adding a calculated amount of at least one of carbonate or bicarbonate to the quantity of the water stream in an amount at least equivalent to said contaminants in the quantity of the water stream; d) adjusting the pH of the quantity of the water stream to a value from about 10.5 to 14 with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide; e) adding a coagulation aid chemical to the quantity of the water stream; f) adding at least one polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of positive or negative polyelectrolyte chemicals to the quantity of the water stream; g) allowing solids formed including said contaminants and carbonate and hydroxide precipitates in the quantity of the water stream to settle or rise in the water; h) separating the solids from the quantity of the water stream; and, i) recovering the water stream containing a reduced contaminant content.