New fouling prevention method using a plasma gliding arc for produced water treatment

New fouling prevention method using a plasma gliding arc for produced water treatment

Type	Journal Article
Author	K. C. Wright
Author	H. S. Kim
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916414002379
Volume	345
Pages	64-71
Publication	Desalination
Date	July 15, 2014
Abstract	Researchers tested a novel plasma-based method for bicarbonate removal in water produced from hydraulic fracturing for shale gas to verify bicarbonate removal as a mechanism for mineral fouling prevention. Their study employed dual hypotheses: (1) gliding arc plasma can reduce bicarbonate concentration of produced water to negligible levels, and (2) water without bicarbonate content is unable to cause mineral fouling in the form of calcium carbonate scale even in the presence of extremely high concentrations of calcium ions as is often found in produced water. The proof-of-concept study showed plasma treatment to be capable of reducing the concentration of bicarbonate ions in produced water to a level where CaCO3 fouling can be prevented on a heat transfer surface. The plasma gliding arc offers an innovative non-chemical fouling prevention method for the treatment of produced water.