Coal Bed Methane (CBM) production requires the pumping of water along with the gas. This produced water, separated from the gas in the borehole, contains high levels of sodium (Na) and sometimes chlorides (Cl) and sulfates (SO4). More stringent federal and state water regulations now prohibit the discharge of this water into the environment or its use for irrigation due to its high salt content. The TETRA® Higgin's Loop™ ion exchange system from Severn Trent Services offers a proven, economical and efficient process for the purification of produced waters without the generation of hazardous wastes or large byproduct streams.
TETRA Higgin's Loop ion exchange system is a continuous countercurrent ion exchange (I-X) contactor for liquid phase separations of ionic components using solid exchange (I-X) resins. The TETRA Higgin's Loop ion exchange system is a great enhancement for I-X applications when compared with fixed bed and fluid bed systems. The Higgin's Loop system will efficiently utilize the resin capacity, uses less regenerant and fresh water, generates consistent product quality, and minimizes wastewater volumes. The technology offers greatly expanded ranges for the use of I-X resins and adsorbents in commercial separations. The Higgin's Loop ion exchange system is a vertical cylindrical loop, containing a packed bed of I-X resin that is separated into four operating zones by butterfly, or "loop" valves. These operating zones - adsorption, regeneration, backwashing and pulsing - function like four separate vessels.
System Features
- Proven technology with 50 years experience
- Treated water meets NPDES permit requirements
- High density spent brine kill fluid
- Insensitive to start/stop, flow and pH changes
- Simple, unattended automated process
System Benefits
- Low treatment costs – <20¢ per barrel of produced water in many applications
- No wastewater generation, all service water recycled
- Beneficial use of treated water possible
- Environmentally attractive