Silica characterisation in the coal seam water train

May 2017May 2020
ARC Linkage Project
Coal seam gas is adsorbed to the surface of coal along fractures and cleats and is released when pressure is reduced by removal of groundwater, which has chemistry peculiar to the region from which it is extracted. Desalination of produced water is severely impacted by mineral scaling on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes.

Silica characterisation in the coal seam water train

The aim of this project is to develop new ways to mitigate silica-associated scaling during Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment of CSG water. It investigates how the type and level of silica present in coal seam water behaves at different stages of RO process during  this treatment.

This study gains a richer understanding of silica/silicate chemistry through the RO stages, to assist in identification of the most appropriate techniques to mitigate silica-associated scaling. It will focus on developing new ways to mitigate scaling by considering silica and silica-rich nanoparticles in concert with hardness cations (calcium and magnesium), with the aim of better managing these cations so to mitigate different types of silica scaling and fouling phenomena.

This ensures effective management of existing assets (lowering operation expenditure) and potentially enables higher water recovery and reduced brine volumes. In addition, lowering chemical consumption would make the treatment process more environmentally-friendly.

Expected outcomes include more productive and effective use of assets (lower operation expenditure), improved RO pre-treatment and the environmental benefits of less chemical waste and higher water recovery, reducing the cost of water processing.

This research project commenced in 2017, following the recommendations of an initial baseline scoping study conducted in 2015.

Background

Due to its relatively high salt concentration, CSG water often has to be treated before disposal or beneficial reuse. Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane separation is widely used for CSG water desalination, with the products being re-useable fresh water and the waste being brine. Management of this brine is one of the key challenges for RO desalination plants. One of the objectives is to maximise water recovery and minimise brine volumes.

Part of the cost of CSG water treatment is associated with the operation and maintenance of the water treatment facilities. Silica, which is one elements present in coal seam water, can particularly affect the performance of the RO plant. Silica and/or silicate scaling that precipitates in the RO and brine concentration equipment can result in reduced performance and increased maintenance costs for cleaning, down time, and membrane replacement.

Silica, which is one element present in coal seam water, can particularly affect the performance of the desalinisation plant.

Silica concentrations and the forms that it occurs in, fluctuate widely through the RO  stages and can be dependent on the local pressure, temperature, pH and water chemistry. As a result, different techniques may be necessary to effectively manage silica at different stages of the treatment process. The scoping research sampled and analysed silica/silica-rich particulates through existing water treatment stages.

Project resources:

     

    • Project title: Evolution of silica nanoparticles through stages of reverse osmosis treating coal seam gas associated (co-produced) water
    • Project status: Underway
    • Project leader: Assoc Professor Steven Pratt
    • Research team: Prof Greg Birkett & Mr. Esmaeil Sarabian (HDR Scholar; April 2018 - April 2022)
    • Research group: The University of Queensland School of Chemical Engineering &  The University of Queensland Centre for Natural Gas (formerly known as The University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas)
    • Timeframe: May 2017 - May 2020
    • Project funders: APLNG, Arrow Energy, QGC, Santos, University of Queensland

     

    • Project title: Mitigating silica damage during water treatment (scoping study)
    • Project status: Complete
    • Project leader: Dr Steven Pratt
    • Research team: Dr Greg Birkett
    • Research group: The University of Queensland School of Chemical Engineering & The University of Queensland Centre for Natural Gas (formerly known as The University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas)
    • Timeframe: January 2015 - December 2015
    • Project funders: APLNG, Arrow Energy, Shell (QGC), Santos, University of Queensland & the Australian Research Council (Linkage Project)

     

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