Methods for treating porous membranes
AssigneesApex Water Solution LLC, Apache Corporation
InventorsAndrius Stanulis, Thomas J. Ainscough, Darren L. Oatley-Radcliffe, Andrew R. Barron
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for treating porous membranes. In an embodiment, a method of treating a porous membrane is provided. The method includes flushing the membrane with a first fluid comprising a hydroxide ion and hypochlorite ion, flushing the membrane with water, flushing the membrane with a second fluid comprising an organic peroxide, organic peroxide ion, or both, and flushing the membrane with water.
Claims20
A method of treating a porous membrane, comprising:
- flushing the membrane with a first fluid comprising a hydroxide ion and hypochlorite ion;
- flushing the membrane with water;
- flushing the membrane with a second fluid comprising an organic peroxide, organic peroxide ion, or both;
- and
- flushing the membrane with water.
A method of treating a porous ceramic membrane, comprising:
- flowing a first fluid from a permeate side of the membrane to a retentate side of the membrane, the first fluid comprising a hydroxide ion and a hypochlorite ion, the membrane comprising a plurality of hydrophilic molecules bonded to the ceramic membrane;
- flowing water from the retentate side of the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane;
- flowing a second fluid from the permeate side of the membrane to the retentate side of the membrane, the second fluid comprising an organic peroxide, organic peroxide ion, or both;
- and
- flowing water from the retentate side of the membrane to the permeate side of the membrane.
A method of treating a porous ceramic membrane, comprising:
- introducing a cleaning agent solution on a permeate side of the membrane, the cleaning agent solution comprising a hydroxide ion, a hypochlorite ion, and a surfactant, the membrane comprising a plurality of hydrophilic molecules bonded to the ceramic membrane;
- applying a transmembrane pressure of about 5 bar or less to move the cleaning agent solution through the membrane and to a retentate side of the membrane;
- flushing the membrane with water until a pH of the water is about 7 or less;
- introducing an organic peroxide solution on the permeate side of the membrane, the organic peroxide solution comprising an organic peroxide, organic peroxide ion, or both;
- applying a transmembrane pressure of about 5 bar or less to move the organic peroxide solution through the membrane and to the retentate side of the membrane;
- and
- flushing the membrane with water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.