Filtration gels and related processes

A method of preparing a filtration gel, comprising the steps of:

• a. mixing together about 30-45% by weight of a polyether, about 30-40% by weight of a diol, about 10-20% by weight of a polyol, about 5-10% by weight of a salt, about 1-5% by weight of a thickening agent, about 1-6% by weight silica dioxide, and about 0.5 to 5% calcium as mixed salts to form a putty;
• b. depositing the putty into at least one waterproof bag;
• c. subjecting the putty to a water bath at about 90° C. for about 1 hour to form a solid gel;
• d. reconstituting the solid gel into a liquid by:
• i. slicing the solid gel into thin slices;
• and
• ii. marinating the solid gel slices in a solution containing aluminum oxide in an amount equal to about 35-45% of the weight of the solid gel slices, and water in an amount equal to about 10 g of water per gram of solid gel, wherein the gels and solution are mixed continuously for at least 24 hours to form a filtration gel solution;
• and
• e. pumping the filtration gel solution into a treatment vessel to form a filtration gel matrix.

A method of filtering a waste stream, comprising:

• mixing, to form a filtration gel composition, about 30-45% by weight poly(ethylene) oxide, about 30-40% by weight propylene glycol, about 10-20% by weight glycerin, about 5-10% by weight NaCl, about 1-5% by weight fumed silica, about 1-6% by weight silica dioxide, and about 0.5 to 5% calcium as mixed salts;
• depositing the filtration gel composition in one or more waterproof containers;
• placing the waterproof container in a hot water bath, the hot water bath being at approximately 70-100 degrees Celsius to form a solid filtration gel;
• slicing the solid filtration gel into a plurality of slices;
• reconstituting the solid filtration gel as a liquid gel in a solution comprising aluminum oxide in an amount equal to about 40% of the gels;
• pumping the reconstituted liquid through a pipe and into a treatment vessel such that the liquid gel unwinds to form a filtration gel matrix;
• pressurizing the treatment vessel having the filtration gel matrix therein to about 0-50 psi;
• pumping a waste stream through the treatment vessel, the waste stream being filtered through the filtration gel matrix such that the waste stream separates into an oil portion, a water portion, and a solids portion;
• and
• separately removing the oil portion, water portion, and solids from the treatment vessel.