System and method for disinfecting and removing biological material from water to be injected in an underwater injection well

Abstract

A system for disinfecting and removing biological material from water to be injected into an injection well in a water body is described; the system includes: at least one apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles from water, which is connected, in terms of fluid, to a source of untreated water and to the injection well; and an apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for the disinfection of water, which is connected in terms of fluid to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles, a source of untreated water and to the injection well such that the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles is positioned downstream relative to the apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for disinfection. The disclosure also relates to a method for disinfecting and removal of biological material from injection water.

1 . A system for disinfecting and removing biological material from water to be injected into an injection well in a water body, the system comprising: at least one apparatus for gravitational precipitation of particles from water, wherein the at least one apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles being connected, in terms of fluid, to a source of untreated water and to the injection well; and at least one apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for disinfection of water, the at least one apparatus for the addition of an oxidant being connected, in terms of fluid, to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles, the source of untreated water and to the injection well, wherein the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles is positioned downstream relative to the apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for disinfection. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one apparatus for the addition of an oxidant is an apparatus for the addition of chlorine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one apparatus for the addition of chlorine to the water includes a container comprising chlorine in a solid or semisolid state. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the at least one apparatus for the addition of chlorine includes a device for the electrolytic production of chlorine. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one apparatus for the addition of chlorine comprises a container for the addition of chlorine from a liquid state. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a device for the electrolytic production of free hydroxyl radicals, wherein the device is connected in terms of fluid, to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles and the apparatus for the addition of chlorine to the source of untreated water and to the injection well. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises an apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises a filtering membrane positioned downstream relative to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles and downstream relative to the apparatus for the addition of chlorine. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a device for the production of mixed oxidants, wherein the device for the production of mixed oxidants is connected, in terms of fluid, to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles and to the apparatus for the addition of chlorine, to the source of untreated water and to the injection well. 
     
     
         9 . A method for disinfecting and removing biological material from water to be injected into an injection well in a water body, the method comprising:
 by means of at least one apparatus for disinfecting water, adding an oxidant to the injection water;   by means of at least one apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles from water, removing particles from the injection water;   in terms of fluid, connecting the apparatuses for the gravitational precipitation of particles and addition of chlorine to a source of untreated water and to the injection well, wherein the method includes placing the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles in water downstream relative to the apparatus for the chemical disinfection of water.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein adding an oxidant to the injection water includes adding chlorine to the injection water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein adding chlorine to the injection water includes adding chlorine from a solid or semisolid state. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  or  11 , wherein adding chlorine to the injection water comprises producing chlorine by means of an electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein adding chlorine to the injection water includes adding chlorine from a liquid state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing the system with a device for the electrolytic production of free hydroxyl radicals and, in terms of fluid, connecting the device for the production of free hydroxyl radicals to the apparatus for the addition of chlorine and the apparatus for gravitational precipitation, to the source of untreated water and to the injection well. 
     
     
         15 . The method in of  claim 10 , wherein the method further includes providing the system with a device for the electrolytic production of mixed oxidants and, in terms of fluid, connecting the device for the production of mixed oxidants to the apparatuses for the addition of chlorine and gravitational precipitation, to the source of untreated water and to the injection well. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising filtering the injection water by means of an apparatus provided with a filtering membrane downstream relative to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles, and downstream relative to the apparatus for adding chlorine to the injection water. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of performing gravitational filtration of biological material comprising:
 injecting water into an injection well, wherein the water comprises chlorine;   increasing a specific gravity of the biological material present in the body of water injected into said well; and   filtering the biological material from the water comprising said well.