Open Access Research Article
Journal of Petroleum &
Environmental Biotechnology
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ISSN: 2157-7463
Atefatdoost and Farahbod, J Pet Environ Biotechnol 2016, 7:5
D0I: 10.4172/2157-7463.1000302
Volume 7 • Issue 5 • 1000302
J Pet Environ Biotechnol, an open access journal
ISSN: 2157-7463
Abstract
The performance assessment of Nano ferric oxide and mixtures of it (10 and 15 gr/lit) which contain mineral
coagulants (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/lit) as auxiliary coagulants in pretreatment of drilling waste water is considered, in
this pilot scale experimental work. Major parameters in coagulation and focculation such as total hardness, turbidity,
amount of poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, total petroleum hydrocarbon, transmittance, initial and fnal pH, zeta
potential and resident time are affected in two pretreatment reactors. Results show, the minimum amount of turbidity
of 4.5 NTU is obtained in the best conditions.
Introduction of a Novel Method for Treating of Drilling Waste Water
Mahmood Atefatdoost
1
and Farshad Farahbod
2
*
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Lamerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lamerd, Iran
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Iran
Keywords: Environmental pollution; Nano ferric oxide; Coagulation;
Treatment
Introduction
Drilling fuid-mud is usually composed by water, clay, weighing
material and a few chemicals [1]. Sometimes oil may be applied instead
of water, or oil added to the water to give the mud certain desirable
physical properties [2]. Drilling fuid is used to increase the cuttings
made by the bit and lif them to the surface for disposal [3]. But equally
important, it addition, provides a means of keeping underground
pressures in check. Te heavier or denser the mud, is the more pressure
it exerts. Terefore, weighing materials - barite - are mixed to the mud
to make it exert as much pressure as required to contain formation
pressures [4]. Te equipment in the circulating system consists of a
large number of parameters [5]. Drilling fuids are applied extensively
in the upstream oil and gas industry, and are critical to ensuring a safe
and productive oil or gas well. During drilling process, a large volume
of drilling fuid is circulated in an open or semi enclosed system, at
elevated temperatures, with agitation, preparing an important potential
for chemical exposure and subsequent health efects. When deciding
on the type of drilling fuid system to use, operator well planners
require conducting comprehensive risk assessments of drilling fuid
systems, considering health aspects in addition to environmental and
safety aspects, and strike a suitable balance between their potentially
conficting requirements [6]. Te results of these risk assessments
require to be made available to all employers whose workers may
become exposed to the drilling fuid system.
Functions of drilling fuid
In the early days of rotary drilling, the primary function of drilling
fuids was to bring the cuttings from the bottom of the hole to the
surface [7]. Today it is recognized the drilling fuid has at least ten
important functions: A). Assists in making hole by: A-1). Removal of
cuttings, A-2). Cooling and lubrication of bit and drill string, A-3).
Power transmission to bit nozzles or turbines. B). Assists in hole
preservation by: B-1). Support of bore hole wall, B-2). Containment
of formation fuids. C). It also: C-1). Supports the weight of pipe and
casing, C-2). Serves as a medium for formation logging. D-It must
not: D-1). Corrode bit, drill string and casing and surface facilities,
D-2). Impair productivity of producing horizon, D-3). Pollute the
environment [8-10].
Te role of drilling fuid
Undoubtedly, the drilling fuid has vital role in drilling process
[11,12]. Two basic items included; frictions and in the recycling cycle.
Customized solutions
Despite the excellent track record demonstrated by invert emulsion
fuids, operators continue searching for a water-based system that will
give comparable performance [13-15]. Increasing concern is placed on
environmental impact of operations, making water-based alternatives
more attractive [16-18].
Baroid has engineered high-performance water-based fuids that
emulate the performance of an invert emulsion fuid. Each fuid system
is customized to address specifc drilling challenges [19-21].
Materials and Methods
Experiments are held in two PVC series tanks equipped by
adjustable agitator. Te treatment process is done in two series mixing
reactors. 450 cc NaOH and 600 cc Na
2
CO
3
is inserted in the drilling
mud feed line. First reactor is a fast mixing reactor to insert a coagulant
during 5 min with 120 rpm. Te second slow mixing reactor vessel (60
rpm, 20 min). Feed is 4 liters watery drilling mud.
Operating functions for prediction of treatment performance
Some functions which are evaluated in the treatment units are listed
at the below. Tese functions state the quality of treatment process.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR): Tis is a
proper and confdent technique which is used to obtain an infrared
spectrum of absorption, emission, photoconductivity or Raman
scattering of fuid. Te FTIR spectrometer simultaneously collects
spectral data in a wide spectral range. Tis confers a signifcant advantage
over a dispersive spectrometer which measures intensity over a narrow
range of wavelengths at a time. Te used FTIR has made dispersive
*
Corresponding author: Farshad Farahbod, Department of Chemical Engineering,
Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Iran, Tel: +98 2147911;
E-mail: mf_fche@iauf.ac.ir
Received July 19, 2016; Accepted September 28, 2016; Published October 06,
2016
Citation: Atefatdoost M, Farahbod F (2016) Introduction of a Novel Method for
Treating of Drilling Waste Water. J Pet Environ Biotechnol 7: 302. doi: 10.4172/2157-
7463.1000302
Copyright: © 2016 Atefatdoost M, et al. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.