SBIR Phase I: Produced Water Treatment Using Animated Organosilicas That Rapidly and Reversibly Swell

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目涉及使用一种新型可吸收水中有机化合物的可膨胀玻璃来处理采出水的系统的开发。采出水是指石油/天然气开采过程中产生的含水废物。这些沃茨含有高水平的有机化合物、BTEX（苯、甲苯、二甲苯和二甲苯）、有机酸和溶解的固体。采出水的处理将使用可溶胀的有机改性二氧化硅（SOMS）来完成，其可以用有机物迅速膨胀至其干重的五倍，但不吸水。溶胀过程是完全可逆的，允许SOMS充当用于吸收水污染物的纳米分子海绵。与石油巨头和油田服务公司合作的SOMS中试阶段测试是研究的重点。此外，还将开发新的高级SOMS，以针对特定污染物，包括钡的捕获。这些先进的材料将有助于创造以更环保的方式利用石油/天然气资源的方法。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是通过先进的净化系统提高我们的水资源。据估计，2007年世界各地的石油开采活动产生了190亿桶采出水。管理来自石油生产的大量水是能源行业面临的巨大挑战。 2008年用于采出水处理的金额为350亿美元，随着监管环境更加严格以及成熟油田的预期水量增加，这一数字预计会增加。在水资源每年面临更大压力的世界中，将采出水转化为可用水流的具有成本效益的手段是一个理想的目标。处理采出水的有效方法将有助于更好地管理资源和降低能源价格。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project involves the development of systems to treat produced water using a novel type of swellable glass that absorbs organic compounds from water. Produced water is the term given to aqueous wastes cogenerated with oil/gas extraction. These waters contain high levels of organic compounds, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes), organic acids, and dissolved solids. Treatment of produced water will be accomplished using swellable organic modified silica (SOMS) which can rapidly expand to five times its dry weight with organics, but which does not absorb water. The swelling process is completely reversible, allowing SOMS to act as a nanomolecular sponge for absorption of water contaminants. Pilot phase testing of SOMS in conjunction with oil majors and oil field service companies is the focus of the research. In addition, new advanced versions of SOMS will be developed to target specific contaminants, including the capture of barium. These advanced materials will help create methods to harness oil/gas resources in a more environmentally benign manner. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is the enhancement of our water resources through advanced purification systems. It is estimated that 19 billion barrels of produced water were created from petroleum extraction activities around the world in 2007. Managing the large volumes of water coming from petroleum production represents a great challenge to the energy industry. The amount spent on produced water treatment in 2008 was $35 billion, and this figure is expected increase with a stricter regulatory climate and higher anticipated water volumes from mature well fields. A cost-effective means to convert produced water to a useable water stream is a desirable goal in a world where water resources face greater pressure each year. Efficient means to treat produced water will allow for better resource management and lower energy prices.