# US 2018/0023376 A1 · Reclamation of brines with metal contamination using lime > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023376 A1 - Document ID: US20180023376A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/547,752 - Filed: 2015-03-07 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-07 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Chesnee L. DAVIS; Jay P. DEVILLE; Matthew L. MILLER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023376A1 ## CPC - E21B 43/34: Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well - E21B 21/063: {by separating components} - E21B 21/068: {using chemical treatment} - C09K 8/04: Aqueous well-drilling compositions - C09K 8/66: Compositions based on water or polar solvents (C09K8/64 takes precedence) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract A method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprising: adding lime to the contaminated brine fluid, wherein the lime causes the soluble metal ion to become insoluble in the contaminated brine fluid; and passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the step of passing is performed after the step of adding, and wherein after the brine fluid is passed through the filter media, a brine fluid having a reduced concentration of the metal ion is produced. Another method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprises: passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the filter media comprises the lime. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprising: adding lime to the contaminated brine fluid, wherein the lime causes the soluble metal ion to become insoluble in the contaminated brine fluid; and passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the step of passing is performed after the step of adding, and wherein after the contaminated brine fluid is passed through the filter media, a brine fluid having a reduced concentration of the metal ion is produced. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the soluble metal ion is iron, zinc, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the contaminated brine fluid comprises a salt, and wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, magnesium chloride, sodium bromide, cesium formate, cesium acetate, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the contaminated brine fluid comprises a base fluid, and wherein the base fluid comprises water. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the contaminated brine fluid has a density in a range of about 8 to about 20 pounds per gallon prior to the step of passing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the brine fluid that has passed through the filter media has a density that is within 10% of the density of the contaminated brine fluid prior to the step of passing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the brine fluid becomes contaminated with the soluble metal ion prior to, during, or after use in an oil or gas operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the lime is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the lime is added to the contaminated brine fluid in a concentration in the range of about 3 to about 35 pounds per barrel of the contaminated brine fluid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the filter media further comprises a filter aid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, glass fibers, glass wool, silica gel, alumina, paper, activated charcoal, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the contaminated brine fluid is passed through the filter media using a pressure filter assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the metal ion is reduced to a value of less than or equal to 2% by weight of the brine fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising introducing the brine fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates a subterranean formation, and wherein the step of introducing is performed after the step of passing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the brine fluid is used in a drilling fluid, completion fluid, workover fluid, injection fluid, or stimulation fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of introducing is performed using a pump. ### Claim 17 A method of removing a soluble metal ion from a contaminated brine fluid comprising: passing the contaminated brine fluid through a filter media, wherein the filter media comprises lime, wherein the lime causes the soluble metal ion to become insoluble in the contaminated brine fluid, and wherein after the contaminated brine fluid is passed through the filter media, a brine fluid having a reduced concentration of the metal ion is produced. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the lime is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the filter media further comprises a filter aid, and wherein the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, glass fibers, glass wool, silica gel, alumina, paper, activated charcoal, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the concentration of the metal ion is reduced to a value of less than or equal to 2% by weight of the brine fluid.