Reduction of Heavy Hydrocarbons from Oilfield Produced Water

This paper presents attempts to reduce the concentration of organic pollutants in oilfield produced wastewater before its discharge into natural water bodies or reinjection wells. The contaminant content was significantly decreased by treatment, based on solid phase adsorption, photocatalytic degradation molecules and chemical oxidation oily compounds. study conducted with real wastewater, which is practice released environment. samples, taken from four sampling points site, were analyzed for physicochemical (temperature, redox potential (Eh), conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen) specific (chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hydrocarbons (TOH), phenols) parameters, cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) anions (Cl?, HCO3?, SO42?, S2?), order determine initial status. contaminants showed COD 39–58 mg/L, TOH 152–363 mg/L phenols 0.07–0.21 mg/L. chosen as a suitable parameter evaluation treatment method efficiency. adsorption activated charcoal levels up 52 corresponds 85% removal Chemical oxidation, carried out Ca(ClO)2 400 1 h at room temperature, range 80–94% different samples. use 300 TiO2 ZnO under UV irradiation 12 led 25–78% 82–92%, respectively. Both photocatalysts characterized using X-ray diffraction, reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy scanning electron microscopy. crystal forms anatase wurtzite ZnO, respectively, found. estimated band gap 3.48 eV direct transition 3.25 agrees well that reported literature. Higher photodegradation compounds observed indicating it absorbed more light photons than did. A mechanism over efficient photocatalyst, proposed GC-MS analysis raw treated effluents 6 h.