A system for membrane fouling control configured to run one or more filter cycles, wherein each filter cycle of the one or more filter cycles includes an operation mode and a cleaning mode. The system includes: a first conduct portion; a second conduct portion; a membrane arranged between the first conduct portion and the second conduct portion. The membrane is configured in the operation mode to filter a liquid to be filtered by conducting it from the first conduct portion to the second conduct portion. A fouling control means filled with fouling control particles is added in the operation mode in the first conduct portion so that a dynamic protective layer is formed on the membrane. The fouling control particles are mineral particles based on calcium and/or magnesium.

A process for recovering oil is provided. The process entails recovering an oil-water mixture from an oil-bearing formation. Next, the process entails separating oil from the oil-water mixture and producing produced water having hardness and other scale-forming compounds, suspended solids, free oil and emulsified oil. A pre-treatment process is undertaken to remove hardness and other scale-forming compounds. This entails precipitating hardness and other scale-forming compounds. After the precipitation of hardness and other scale-forming compounds, the produced water is directed to a membrane separation unit for filtering the produced water and producing a retentate having suspended solids, hardness and other scale-forming compounds, free oil and emulsified oil. The membrane separation unit also produces a permeate stream substantially free of hardness and other scale-forming compounds, suspended solids, free oil and emulsified oil. Thereafter, the permeate stream is chemically treated to enhance the recovery of oil in the oil-bearing formation. After treating the permeate stream from the membrane separation unit, the treated permeate is injected into the oil-bearing formation.

Method of reducing calcite formation from solubilized calcium forms in aqueous effluent streams, including the reduction or removal of solubilized forms of nickel, selenium, sulfate, and magnesium.

Method of reducing calcite formation from solubilized calcium forms in aqueous effluent streams, including the reduction or removal of solubilized forms of nickel, selenium, sulfate, and magnesium.

A slurry product is shown for treating water to both soften the water and to remove silica. The slurry is prepared by blending, in an aqueous medium, hydrated lime under the form of a slurry or of a powder with at least partly hydrated dolime, or magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide particles or a combination thereof under the form of a slurry or of a powder, to form an aqueous slurry where the amounts of the dolime, magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide particles or the combination thereof are provided such that the solid content of the slurry is up to 60% by weight of the slurry. The slurry also maintains a stable and pumpable viscosity for over a month.

A slurry product is shown for treating water to both soften the water and to remove silica. The slurry is prepared by blending, in an aqueous medium, hydrated lime under the form of a slurry or of a powder with at least partly hydrated dolime, or magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide particles or a combination thereof under the form of a slurry or of a powder, to form an aqueous slurry where the amounts of the dolime, magnesium hydroxide or magnesium oxide particles or the combination thereof are provided such that the solid content of the slurry is up to 60% by weight of the slurry. The slurry also maintains a stable and pumpable viscosity for over a month.

A method and apparatus for removing the barium and strontium salts in water that flows back to the well head after hydrofracturing in gas well drilling. Trace levels of iron salts may also be removed from the waste frac water, followed by removal of the calcium and magnesium salts, where applicable. The barium and strontium salts are precipitated in the inert sulfate form, which renders the resulting solids mass suitable for conventional landfill or on-site disposal, and more significantly, for potential reuse and as an additive to certain well drilling processes. The calcium and magnesium salts are similarly inert and suitable for conventional disposal. The process may be managed to selectively remove barium and strontium salts to desired levels, depending upon the intended reuse or disposition. The apparatus may be provided in a highly compact portable configuration that is transportable by a highway vehicle.

Method for desalination of water by reverse osmosis, including a first desaturation step.

Method for desalination of water by reverse osmosis, including a first desaturation step.

Lithium brine is treated with a multiple pass nanofiltration (NF) membrane system. Sulfate is added to permeate from an upstream pass before it flows through a downstream pass. Optionally the sulfate may be added to the permeate by dosing it with sulfuric acid or a slat such as sodium sulfate. The softened brine may then be processed further, for example by a combination of solvent extraction, electrolysis, crystallization and drying, to produce a lithium hydroxide product that can be used to make batteries.