Treatment of wastewater

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for removing contaminants from an aqueous stream. In embodiments, these systems and methods may be applied to particular applications, for example removal of contaminants in aqueous streams associated with the petroleum industry.

1 . System for removing contaminants from a waste stream, comprising two or more modules in fluid communication with the waste stream, each module comprising either: (a) an oxidizing agent; or (b) a filtration medium comprising a substrate for supporting a modifier compound, and a modifier compound attached thereto, wherein the modifier compound has an affinity for a contaminant in the waste stream, forming a complex with the contaminant and thereby removing it from the waste stream, wherein at least one module comprises a filtration medium. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modifier compound of at least one module has an affinity for dissolved-metal ions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modifier compound of at least one module has an affinity for suspended solids. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one module comprises an oxidizing agent for oxidizing one or more contaminants and modifier compound of the second module has an affinity for the oxidized contaminant. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the contaminants comprise ferrous ion and the oxidized contaminant is ferric hydroxide. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein two or more modules are arranged in series with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein two or more modules are arranged in parallel with each other. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of removing contaminants from a fluid stream, comprising:
 contacting the contaminants in the fluid stream with an oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing the contaminants within the fluid stream, and   removing the oxidized contaminants from the fluid stream.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising directing the fluid stream carrying the oxidized contaminants into a sequestration unit comprising a filtration medium specific for removing the oxidized contaminants, which filtration medium removes the oxidized contaminants from the fluid stream. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the oxidized contaminants are insoluble in the fluid stream. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising removing the excess oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the contaminants comprise ferrous ions. 
     
     
         18 . A method for removing a contaminant in contaminated water, comprising contacting the contaminated water with a targeted sorbent having a specific affinity for the contaminant, wherein the targeted sorbent comprises a supportive substrate modified with one or more combinations of functional components. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the supportive substrate comprises a treatment agent for removal of petroleum industry wastewater compounds from the contaminated water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the contaminated water is a frac flowback water. 
     
     
         21 . A system for treating frac flowback water, comprising:
 a sequential treatment pathway comprising a plurality of treatment modules, the plurality of treatment modules comprising, in any order, at least two modules selected from the group consisting of a suspended-solid removal module, a bacteria-removal module, an oil-removal module, a metal-removal module, and a water-hardness treatment module.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of treatment modules are arranged in a pre-treatment pathway and a post-treatment pathway. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the suspended-solid removal module, the metal-removal module, and the bacterial removal system are arranged sequentially in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the bacterial removal module, the metal-removal module, the suspended-solid removal module, the oil-removal module and the water-hardness treatment module are arranged sequentially in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         26 . A method for producing a water source for hydraulic fracturing, comprising:
 collecting surface water,   treating the surface water using the system of  claim 25  to yield treated surface water,   collecting produced water,   treating the produced water using the system of  claim 25  to yield treated produced water, and   combining the treated surface water and the treated produced water to provide the water source for hydraulic fracturing.   
     
     
         27 . A device for removing a contaminant from a waste stream, comprising a filtration medium within a housing, said filtration medium comprising a substrate for supporting a modifier compound, and a modifier compound attached thereto, wherein the modifier compound has an affinity for a contaminant in the waste stream; wherein the housing is adapted for insertion into the waste stream.