Produced water treatment method and apparatus

A separator apparatus for treating produced water, comprising:

• at least one separator with at least one annulus disposed therein;
• a flux cartridge with a semi-permeable membrane seated inside said annulus, wherein a fluid ring exists between an interior surface of the annulus and an exterior surface of the flux cartridge;
• a first pump in fluid communication with the separator capable of delivering an influent fluid containing at least one contaminant into the separator, wherein the pressure delivered by the first pump provides turbulent flow within the fluid ring of the separator which results in the retention of contaminant particles on the exterior surface of the flux cartridge and the collection of the filtered fluid within an interior chamber of the flux cartridge;
• a second pump in fluid communication with the separator capable of reversing the flow of fluid through the flux cartridge, wherein filtered fluid is pumped into the fluid ring from the interior chamber of the flux cartridge which provides for the removal of the contaminant particles retained by the flux cartridge and transports a substantial portion of the contaminant particles out of the separator;
• a reject tank in fluid communication with the separator which receives a substantial portion of the contaminant particles from the separator;
• and
• a product tank which receives a substantial portion of the filtered fluid from the separator.