A phase-separation device and method of use is provided for separating immiscible liquids. The phase-separation device has a porous membrane with a filter surface having a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity to receive a liquid mixture. The filter surface is configured to impede flow of a polar liquid into the porous membrane and permit flow of a non-polar liquid into the porous membrane.

A method of detecting free flocculant polymer having a net charge present in an aqueous phase of a multi-phase substance is provided. The multi-phase substance comprises a solid phase, an organic phase, and the aqueous phase. The method comprises separating the solid phase from the multi-phase substance to form a dual phase top liquid comprising the organic phase and the aqueous phase; separating the organic phase from the dual phase top liquid, leaving the aqueous phase; combining the free flocculant polymer in the aqueous phase and a dye having an opposite net charge than that of the free flocculant polymer, thereby causing a spectroscopically observable change in the aqueous phase; and analyzing the aqueous phase via spectrometry to determine the concentration of the free flocculant polymer in the multi-phase substance.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an underwater gas/liquid-liquid modular separation system which enables the disposal of produced water in undersea environment. The underwater gas/liquid-liquid modular system separation consists of a gravitational separator and a water polishing system consisting of deoiling membranes capable of withdrawing the residual oil contained in water. Furthermore, the underwater gas/liquid-liquid modular separation system also features a demulsifier injection which promotes the breakdown of the water-oil emulsion. Embodiments further relate to an underwater gas/liquid-liquid separation method and to the use of deoiling membranes in gas/liquid-underwater liquid separation systems.

A process of treating a liquid containing oil and solids, includes an ultra- or micro-filtration step followed by a coalescing step of the concentrate obtained from the filtering step by uses of a coalescing contactor.

An electrochemical separation device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a cell stack including alternating depleting compartments and concentrating compartments disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, an inlet manifold configured to introduce a fluid to one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments an outlet manifold, and one or more of a fluid flow director disposed within the inlet manifold and having a surface configured to alter a flow path of the fluid introduced into the inlet manifold and direct the fluid into the one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments, and a second fluid flow director disposed within the outlet manifold and having a surface configured to alter a flow path of the fluid introduced into the outlet manifold via one of the depleting compartments or the concentrating compartments.

A salt ion membrane may be paired with an absorption device to provide advantaged separation processes comprising: introducing a first aqueous salt stream and a mixed feed stream comprising at least one olefin and at least one paraffin to a salt ion membrane under conditions effective to form at least two phases; obtaining an olefin-rich permeate stream and an olefin-lean retentate stream from the salt ion membrane, in which the olefin-rich permeate stream and/or the olefin-lean retentate stream further comprises a salt ion membrane aqueous salt phase; introducing at least a portion of the olefin-lean retentate stream and a second aqueous salt stream to an absorption device under conditions effective to promote olefin extraction; obtaining an olefin-rich aqueous salt stream from the absorption device; and providing at least a portion of the olefin-rich aqueous salt stream as at least a portion of the first aqueous salt stream.

Provided are an extraction structure, an extraction module, and a liquid pretreatment device relating to the liquid component testing technical field. The extraction structure comprises a cavity and a first pore passage. The extraction module comprises an extraction module body, successively bottom up, including a first cavity provided therein with a second filter layer, a first pore passage provided therein with a first filter layer, and a second cavity provided therein with an extractant layer and a porous filter disc; the first and second filter layers contain therein an expansive agent; and the diameter of the first filter layer is smaller than that of the second filter disc. The liquid pretreatment device comprises a storage tank, a transfer device and the extraction module. Between the transfer device and the extraction module is provided a filter membrane for filtering and supporting.

A variable oil field fluid treatment system and method of use which utilizes a pump, a desanding hydrocydone, and or a non-consumable or consumable mechanical solids filter, a membrane unit, a pump and/or combinations therein.

Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.

Method that includes providing a phase-separation device having a porous membrane with a filter surface. The filter surface has a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity. The method also includes providing a liquid mixture into the receiving cavity of the porous membrane. The liquid mixture includes a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are immiscible with respect to each other. The filter surface along the receiving cavity has a surface energy that impedes flow of the polar liquid through the filter surface and permit flow of the non-polar liquid into the porous membrane. The method also includes permitting the non-polar liquid to flow into the porous membrane. The polar liquid forms a droplet within the receiving cavity as the non-polar liquid flows into the porous membrane.