A collection and concentration system including a separation tank having a plurality of distribution arms configured to separate and recover oil, water, and sediment or sand from an inflowing mixture of the same. The distribution arms are connected to and in fluid communication with a downcomer section of a center column that is vertically arranged in the separation tank. The distribution arms extend radially toward a sidewall of the tank and include tangential discharge nozzles that are tangentially directed toward the sidewall. Inflowing mixture directed tangentially against the sidewall is directed in a downward, helical manner that assists in the separation and recovery of oil, water, and sediment from the inflowing mixture.

A method of treating oil and gas produced water may include: receiving produced water from one or more wells; separating an aqueous portion of the produced water from oil and solids included in the produced water in order to provide recovered water; performing anaerobic bio-digestion of organic matter included in the produced water using a biomass mixture of anaerobic bacteria obtained from a plurality of wells; aerating the recovered water in order to promote metal precipitation; and performing aerobic bio-digestion of organic matter present in the recovered water. Some embodiments may also include one or more of anoxic equalization, filtration, pasteurization, reverse osmosis, and biocide treatment of the recovered water. The recovered water may be used for oil and gas well fracking and/or land and stream application. Other methods of treating oil and gas produced water are also described.

A separator is provided for removing hydrocarbons and fluid from solids from a slurry. The separator includes a first separator tank for receiving a slurry of fluid and solids contaminated with hydrocarbons, said first separator tank comprising agitating means for agitating hydrocarbons to separate from the slurry and rise as foam and comprising a lower end to collect the solids; a first centrifuge in communication with the lower end of the first separator tank to receive and centrifuge the solids to further remove hydrocarbons therefrom, said first centrifuge comprising a fluid return to return fluids to the first separator tank; a second separator tank for receiving solids from the first centrifuge, said second separator tank comprising agitator means for agitating hydrocarbons to separate from the slurry and rise as foam and comprising a lower end to collect solids; a second centrifuge in communication with the lower end of the second separator tank to receive and centrifuge the solids to further remove hydrocarbons therefrom, said second centrifuge comprising a fluid return to return fluids to the second separator tank; and one or more settling tanks connected in series with each of said first and second separator tanks for further separation of hydrocarbons from fluid. Solids exiting the first and second centrifuges are at least 99% free of hydrocarbons.

A fine grit classifier for removing grit from a milk of lime slurry includes a settling tank for receiving the milk of lime slurry, means for creating turbulence inside the tank to promote grit settling, a launder for collecting milk of lime slurry from an upper portion of the settling tank and directing milk of lime slurry to an outlet, and an auger for transporting settled grit from the lower portion of the settling tank and discharging the settled grit.

The Passive Tailings Compactor is a system of components for facilitating the continuous passive drainage and consolidation of fine-grained sediments in active and continuous deposition environments. The invention consists of a flotation device, an anchor mass, and a drainage conduit which acts as a tether between the flotation device and the anchor. The flotation device also serves to orient the drainage conduit horizontally. As water or sediment levels rise, the flotation device rotates, releasing drainage conduit wrapped around its axis. This allows the flotation device to move upwards, extending the drainage conduit passively. The flotation device uses asymmetrical fixed weights to resist lesser rotational forces. The drainage conduit serves to create a path of relatively high hydraulic conductivity, protected by a filter barrier, for the dissipation of pore pressures and consolidation of buried sediments. The anchor mass fixes the system in place.

Apparatus and a method for cleaning accumulated sediment from storm drain conduits and other large-diameter conduits. A nozzle assembly is arranged to deliver a high-volume flow of water at a pressure high enough to loosen sediment from the interior of a conduit and to propel the nozzle assembly and an associated nozzle feed hose upstream within a conduit being cleaned. Water from the nozzle assembly flushes the sediment downstream and is then collected, partially cleaned, and reused in the nozzle assembly. Mud and clay may be left in the water to increase its specific gravity and viscosity. A self-contained portable and mobile system includes a tank and apparatus for removal of high concentrations of entrained or suspended solids, and a pump and conduits for delivering a high-volume flow of water, containing quantities of suspended solids, to the nozzle assembly.

A clarifier can comprise a floor, inner and outer walls that each extends upwardly from the floor such that a tank is at least partially defined by the inner wall and a launder channel is at least partially defined between the inner and outer walls and is disposed along at least a majority of a periphery of the tank. A launder cover comprising one or more flexible sheets can be disposed over at least a majority of the launder channel. Each of the sheet(s) can have opposing inner and outer edges, the inner edge coupled to the inner wall and the outer edge coupled to the outer wall, and can be configured such that, when a single one of the inner and outer edges is decoupled from the inner and outer walls, the sheet is deformable to at least partially uncover the launder channel.

Systems and methods for separating a flowback mixture received from a wellbore. Employing a vessel with internal chambers to receive the mixture and employing eductors and a shaker to manage the separation of the mixture to produce a supply of solids-free liquid ready for reuse.

A filtration system is provided that includes a gearbox positioned in a geared turbofan engine. The system further includes an auxiliary lubrication system positioned in the geared turbofan engine and in fluid communication with the gearbox. The auxiliary lubrication system includes an auxiliary reservoir, an auxiliary pump in fluid communication with the auxiliary reservoir, an auxiliary return line extending between the gearbox and the auxiliary reservoir, the auxiliary return line configured to transport a lubricant from the gearbox to the auxiliary reservoir, and an auxiliary supply line extending between the auxiliary pump and the gearbox, the auxiliary supply line configured to transport the lubricant from the auxiliary pump to the gearbox. The system further includes a non-removable filter positioned in the auxiliary lubrication system. The non-removable filter is configured to prevent or limit debris that is suspended in the lubricant from flowing into the gearbox and/or the auxiliary pump.

A collection and concentration system including a separation tank having a plurality of distribution arms configured to separate and recover oil, water, and sediment or sand from an inflowing mixture of the same. The distribution arms are connected to and in fluid communication with a downcomer section of a center column that is vertically arranged in the separation tank. The distribution arms extend radially toward a sidewall of the tank and include tangential discharge nozzles that are tangentially directed toward the sidewall. Inflowing mixture directed tangentially against the sidewall is directed in a downward, helical manner that assists in the separation and recovery of oil, water, and sediment from the inflowing mixture.