AU2020273466B2

AU2020273466B2 - Temperature swing solvent extraction for descaling of feedstreams

Info

Publication number: AU2020273466B2
Application number: AU2020273466A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Chanhee BOO; Ngai Yin Yip
Original assignee: Columbia University in the City of New York
Current assignee: Columbia University in the City of New York
Priority date: 2019-05-16
Filing date: 2020-05-18
Publication date: 2026-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-18
Also published as: AU2020273466A1; IL288169B1; IL326111A; IL288169A

Abstract

Systems and methods of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) descaling of produced water and desalination of high-salinity brines, e.g., those having a total dissolved solids (TDS) greater than about 250,000ppm are capable of producing descaled water products including less than about 5% weight percent TDS. The brine/produced water feedstreams and combined with a solvent having temperature- dependent water solubility at a temperature TL. Water is extracted from the feedstream into the solvent to form a water-in-solvent extract component and a raffinate component, from which a solid phase can be precipitated as more water is portioned in the solvent and basicity increases. Heating of the water-in-solvent extract component reduces the solubility of the water therein, producing a biphasic mixture of dewatered solvent and descaled water that can be separated. Because these systems and methods do not require a phase change of water, these products are achieved with significantly higher energy efficiencies when compared to evaporation-based thermal methods.

Description

WO 2020/232438 A1 Published: with international search report (Art. 21(3))

- before the expiration of the time limit for amending the

- claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of amendments (Rule 48.2(h))

TEMPERATURE SWING SOLVENT EXTRACTION FOR DESCALING OF 31 Jan 2023 Jan 2023

FEEDSTREAMS FEEDSTREAMS

2020273466 31

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/848,624, 2020273466

filed May 16, 2019, 62/904,723, filed September 24, 2019, and 63/024,954, filed May 14, 2020, which are incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in their entireties.

STATEMENT ON STATEMENT ON FEDERALLY FEDERALLY SPONSORED SPONSORED RESEARCH RESEARCH OR ORDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT

[0002] This invention was made with government support under R19AC00111 awarded by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND

[0003] Hypersaline brines from industrial processes are of growing environmental concern, but are technologically under-served by today’s desalination methods. Prominent examples of such high-salinity brines include produced water (PW) from the oil and gas industry, waste streams of minimum/zero liquid discharge operations, inland desalination concentrate, landfill leachate, and flue gas desulfurization wastewater.

[0004] In many ways, the production of oil and gas from unconventional resources (tight shale) is a water problem. Between several hundred thousand and a million barrels of water are required just to open up hydraulic-induced fractures in a single reservoir to enable the production of hydrocarbons. But more importantly, in regions such as West Texas, once production begins, every barrel of oil produces up to 15 barrels of water, referred to as flowback. Typically, flowback is simply re-injected into the ground using deep well injection. However, this solution to the disposal of PW is increasingly unacceptable as the sheer volume has caused induced seismicity in some regions and the quality of water being injected can create groundwater contamination issues. As a result,

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 2

the oil and gas industry has become increasingly efficient at reusing PW and avoiding

disposal altogether.

[0005] These brines and produced waters exhibit very high total dissolved

solids (TDS) > 60,000 ppm, the removal of which pose considerable technical challenges.

The composition of produced water varies considerably, depending on the location of the

field, the age of the reservoir, the type of hydrocarbon produced, and other factors.

Across the oil and gas industry, the following contaminants are of most concern for PW

management: high levels of TDS, which can be as high as 400,000 mg/L, oil and grease,

suspended solids, dispersed oil, dissolved and volatile organic compounds, heavy metals,

radionuclides, dissolved gases and bacteria, and chemical additives used in

production (e.g., biocides, scale/corrosion inhibitors, and emulsion/reverse-emulsion

breakers). Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most energy-efficient and cost-effective

desalination technique, e.g., for seawater. However, because osmotic pressure scales with

TDS concentration, exceedingly high operating pressures are needed to overcome the

osmotic pressure of hypersaline brines, precluding the application of RO. As a result,

evaporation-based thermal methods, e.g., multiple effect distillation, thermal brine

concentrator, and crystallizers, are the prevailing processes to desalinate or dewater

highly concentrated brines. These processes achieve separation by phase-change(s)

between liquid and vapor water. However, because the enthalpy of vaporization for water

is large (~630 kWh/m3), these evaporative phase-change methods are inherently very

energy intensive.

[0006] In order to improve the quantity of produced water and flowback that is

useable, either as replacement for fresh water resources that would normally be consumed

or for other beneficial uses, new technology is needed to tailor the water quality for

specific purposes. This 'fit-for-purpose' water treatment is unlike conventional water

treatment or desalination, as the management of PW does not require achieving potable

quality. In fact, in most oil basins, flowback water can be recycled with minimal or no

treatment. It is in specific applications, e.g., agriculture, where innovative approaches to

the removal of contaminants and impurities that would normally render the reuse of

produced water uneconomical, is deserving of particular attention.

[0007] The removal of TDS in produced water has been identified among the highest

priority objectives in PW treatment. However, conventional desalination techniques are precluded from treating most PW because of the high concentrations of scalants and foulants. Specifically, dissolved inorganic compounds can form mineral scales on heat exchange tubes and membranes in distillation and reverse osmosis, respectively, that severely deteriorates productivity. The presence of such scalants in produced water poses a major challenge for the feasibility of beneficial reuse. Without pretreatment, the most likely solids to form, defined by highest saturation index, are: CaCO3, FeCO3, MgCO3,

MnCO3, SrCO3, BaSO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, and SrSO4. In order to achieve beneficial reuse

and fit-for-purpose reutilization, such scalants should be removed.

[0008] The presence of scalants is also a major problem for PW from the Permian

Basin, with high concentrations of several metal-sulfate and -carbonate scales in the water

chemistry. The high levels of hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, and other divalent cations, as well as

sulfate and carbonate (alkalinity), point to scaling being a major issue for the treatment of

Permian Basin PW. Therefore, the development of cost-effective technologies for scalant

removal is urgently needed.

[0009] Wastewater management strategies that eliminate liquid waste exiting the

facility are termed zero liquid discharge (ZLD), often with the water recovered for reuse.

Entirely abating liquid discharge lessens environmental impacts and diminishes pollution

risks. The waste solids produced in ZLD can be more easily disposed in leach-proofed

landfills or further processed to recover mineral byproducts of value. Where water

recovery is applied, a nontraditional supply is generated for fit-for-purpose and even

potable use. Increasingly stricter disposal regulations and financial incentives are

motivating the development of ZLD technologies for waste brines. For example, all

newly constructed coal-to-chemicals facilities in China must comply with ZLD rules for

waste streams, to conserve local water resources and ecosystems. Stringent disposal

regulations enforced by the Egyptian government to protect their primary water resource,

the River Nile, drove implementation of the country's first ZLD-integrated chemical

manufacturing facility.

[0010] Conventional ZLD systems typically comprise a thermal brine concentrator to

dewater the saline feedwater by evaporation to near saturation and a thermal crystallizer

to vaporize more water and further concentrate the feed past saturation, precipitating

mineral salts and other dissolved solids and contaminants (solar evaporation pond is

another option but the method is land and capital intensive and often constrained by climate and hydrogeology). Eventually, almost all the water is removed to leave only a slurry of 03 Mar 2026 solids as waste. However, the thermally-driven brine concentrator and crystallizer are evaporative phase change processes with inherently very high energy intensities due to the exceedingly large vaporization enthalpy of water (≈652-682 kWh/m3). Additionally, these methods require high-grade thermal energy, i.e., steam that is > 100 °C, and often also high- quality electrical energy for mechanical vapor compression. 2020273466

[0011] Solvent extraction is a separation method widely employed for chemical engineering processes. The relatively inexpensive, simple, and effective separation technique is used in a wide range of industries, including production of fine organic compounds, purification of natural products, and extraction of valuable metal complexes. Solvent extraction can be an alternative desalination approach that is radically different from conventional methods because it is membraneless and not based on evaporative phase change. Application of solvent extraction for desalination was first explored using amine solvents in the 1950s, but the effort was limited to desalting brackish water of relatively low salinity (<10000 ppm TDS). More recently, the technique was investigated for desalination of seawater simulated by a 3.5% (w/w) NaCl solution with decanoic acid as the solvent.

[0011a] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0011b] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

SUMMARY

[0011c] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) desalination of brines, comprising:

providing a feedstream;

4a

combining the feedstream with a solvent, wherein the solvent has temperature- 03 Mar 2026

dependent water solubility;

bringing the combined feedstream and solvent to a temperature TL;

extracting a liquid from the feedstream into the solvent to form a water-in-solvent extract component and a raffinate component at temperature TL, wherein the raffinate component includes an aqueous phase and a solid phase; 2020273466

separating the water-in-solvent extract component from the raffinate component;

heating the water-in-solvent extract component to a temperature TH to produce a biphasic mixture of dewatered solvent and descaled water; and

separating the dewatered solvent and the descaled water,

wherein the descaled water includes less than 5% weight percent total dissolved solids.[0011d] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) desalination of high-salinity brines, comprising:

a feedstream in fluid communication with a fluid source;

a solvent source including one or more solvents with temperature-dependent water solubility;

an extractor in fluid communication with the feedstream and the solvent source, the extractor including at least a first outlet and a second outlet;

a water-in-solvent extract outlet stream in communication with the first outlet;

a raffinate outlet stream in communication with the second outlet, wherein the raffinate outlet stream includes an aqueous phase and a solid phase;

a separator in fluid communication with the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, the separator including at least a third outlet and a fourth outlet;

4b

a descaled water component outlet stream in communication with the third outlet, 03 Mar 2026

the descaled water component including less than about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids;

a dewatered solvent component outlet stream in communication with the fourth outlet;

a temperature controller in communication with the extractor and the water-in- 2020273466

solvent extract outlet stream; and

[0012] a dewatered solvent recycle conduit in fluid communication with the dewatered solvent component outlet stream and the extractor, the dewatered solvent recycle conduit configured to direct the dewatered solvent component outlet stream to the extractor.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of performing temperature swing solvent extraction desalination of high-salinity brines. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a feedstream having a total dissolved solids greater than about 250,000ppm; combining the feedstream with a solvent, wherein the solvent has temperature-dependent water solubility; bringing the combined feedstream and solvent to a temperature TL; extracting a liquid from the feedstream into the solvent to form a water-in-solvent extract component and a raffinate component at temperature TL, wherein the raffinate component includes an aqueous phase, a solid phase, or combinations thereof; separating the water-in-solvent extract component from the raffinate component; heating the water-in-solvent extract component to a temperature TH to produce a biphasic mixture of dewatered solvent and descaled water; and separating the dewatered solvent and the descaled water. In some embodiments, the descaled water includes less than about 5% weight percent total wo 2020/232438 WO PCT/US2020/033403 5 dissolved solids. In some embodiments, the feedstream includes brine, produced water, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the solvent includes diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N- dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), triethylamine (TEA), N- methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N-dimethylisopropylamine (DMIPA), or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, TL is below about 20°C. In some embodiments, TL is about 5°C. In some embodiments, TH is between about 40°C and about 80°C. In some embodiments, TH is about 70°C. In some embodiments, the feedstream has a total dissolved solids greater than about 290,000ppm. In some embodiments, the feedstream to solvent ratio is less than about 15 mL/mol.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method includes cooling the dewatered solvent

component from temperature TH; and combining the dewatered solvent component with

the feedstream. In some embodiments, the method includes precipitating the solid phase;

and sieving the solid phase from a liquid phase, the solid phase including one or more

scalants from the feedstream. In some embodiments, the one or more scalants includes an

alkali metal salts, Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, FeCO3, Mg(OH)2, MgCO3, MnCO3, SrCO3, BaSO4,

CaSO4, MgSO4, SrSO4, or combinations thereof.

[0014] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of producing

a descaled water product. In some embodiments, the method includes combining a

volume of produced water with a solvent with temperature-dependent water solubility, the

volume of produced water having a total dissolved solids greater than about 250,000ppm;

raising the pH of the combined produced water and solvent to produce an elevated-pH

composition; precipitating a solid phase from the elevated-pH composition, the solid

phase including one or more scalants; separating the one or more scalants from the

elevated-pH composition; heating the elevated-pH composition to a temperature TH to

demix a descaled water component from a dewatered solvent component; removing the

dewatered solvent component to isolate a descaled water product, the descaled water

product including less than about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids; cooling the

dewatered solvent component to a temperature TL; and combining the dewatered solvent

component with the volume of produced water.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system of performing

temperature swing solvent extraction desalination of high-salinity brines. In some wo 2020/232438 WO PCT/US2020/033403 6 embodiments, the system includes a feedstream in fluid communication with a fluid source, the fluid source including a fluid having a total dissolved solids greater than about 250,000ppm. In some embodiments, the system includes a solvent source including one or more solvents with temperature-dependent water solubility. In some embodiments, the system includes an extractor in fluid communication with the feedstream and the solvent source, the extractor including at least a first outlet and a second outlet. In some embodiments, the extractor includes one or more microporous membranes configured to isolate the solid phase product. In some embodiments, the system includes a water-in-solvent extract outlet stream in communication with the first outlet. In some embodiments, the system includes a raffinate outlet stream in communication with the second outlet, wherein the raffinate outlet stream includes an aqueous phase, a solid phase, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the system includes a separator in fluid communication with the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, the separator including at least a third outlet and a fourth outlet. In some embodiments, the system includes a descaled water component outlet stream in communication with the third outlet, the descaled water component including less than about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids. In some embodiments, the system includes a dewatered solvent component outlet stream in communication with the fourth outlet. In some embodiments, the system includes a temperature controller in communication with the extractor and the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, wherein the extractor is maintained at a temperature TL and the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream is heated to a temperature TH, wherein TL is below about 20°C and TH is between about 40°C and about 80°C. In some embodiments, the system includes a dewatered solvent recycle conduit in fluid communication with the dewatered solvent component outlet stream and the extractor, the dewatered solvent recycle conduit configured to direct the dewatered solvent component outlet stream to the extractor. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more heat exchangers in thermal communication with the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, the separator, or combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] The drawings show embodiments of the disclosed subject matter for the

purpose of illustrating the invention. However, it should be understood that the present

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 7

application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the

drawings, wherein:

[0002] FIG. 1 is a chart of a method of performing temperature swing solvent

extraction (TSSE) descaling of a feedstream according to some embodiments of the

present disclosure;

[0003] FIG. 2 is a chart of a method of producing a descaled water product according

to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a system of performing TSSE, e.g.,

descaling/desalination of high-salinity brines/produced waters according to some

embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 4A is a graph portraying water recovery and precipitated salt capabilities

of methods and systems according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 4B is a graph portraying compositions of product water treated with

methods and systems according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0007] FIG. 5 is a graph portraying solids removal capabilities of methods and

systems according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Referring now to FIG. 1, some embodiments of the present disclosure are

directed to a method 100 of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE)

descaling of a feedstream. In some embodiments, the feedstream includes one or more

liquids that include an undesired component dissolved therein. In some embodiments, the

undesired component includes one or more scalants, as will be discussed in greater detail

below. The feedstream can be from any suitable source, e.g., existing in the natural

environment, effluent from industrial processes, etc. In some embodiments, the

feedstream includes brines, produced waters, or combinations thereof. In some

embodiments, the feedstream includes high-salinity brine, produced water and flowback

from oil and gas industry, fluegas desulfurization wastewater, inland desalination

concentrates, landfill leachate, waste streams of zero/minimum liquid discharge

operations, waste effluents from thermoelectric power plants, discharges of coal-to-

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 8

chemicals facilities, etc., or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "descaling" is

used to refer to removal of the undesired components dissolved in the feedstream, i.e.,

scalants including minerals, metals, etc. In some embodiments, descaling of the

feedstream includes removal of one more metal salts, e.g., desalination.

[0009] At 102, the feedstream is provided. As discuss above, in some embodiments,

the feedstream includes produced water for removal of soluble salt scalants, e.g.,

produced water and flowback from oil and gas industry, fluegas desulfurization

wastewater, inland desalination concentrates, landfill leachate, waste streams of

zero/minimum liquid discharge operations, waste effluents from thermoelectric power

plants, discharges of coal-to-chemicals facilities, etc., or combinations thereof. In some

embodiments, the feedstream includes a hypersaline solution, e.g., 1M-5M+ NaCl

solutions, for desalination. In the some embodiments, the total dissolved solids (TDS) in

the feedstream is greater than about 60,000ppm, 70,000ppm, 80,000ppm, 90,000ppm,

100,000ppm, 110,000ppm, 120,000ppm, 130,000ppm, 140,000ppm, 150,000ppm,

160,000ppm, 170,000ppm, 180,000ppm, 190,000ppm, 200,000ppm, 210,000ppm,

220,000ppm, 230,000ppm, 240,000ppm, 250,000ppm, 260,000ppm, 270,000ppm,

280,000ppm, 290,000ppm, 300,000ppm, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more

scalants include minerals, metals, etc., or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,

the scalants include hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, etc. In some

embodiments, the scalants include Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, FeCO3, Mg(OH)2, MgCO3, MnCO3,

SrCO3, BaSO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, SrSO4, alkali metal salts, e.g., NaCl, or combinations

thereof.

[0010] At 104, the feedstream is combined with one or more solvents. The one or

more solvents have temperature-dependent water solubility, meaning that the solubility of

water in the solvent decreases with an increase in temperature. In some embodiments, the

solvent is basic. In some embodiments, the solvent includes one or more hydrophilic

moieties in a mainly hydrophobic chemical structure. In some embodiments, the solvent

is an amine solvent, e.g., a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine solvent. In some

embodiments, the solvent includes diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-

ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA),

triethylamine (TEA), N-methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N-dimethylisopropylamine

(DMIPA), or combinations thereof.

[0011] At 106, the combined feedstream and solvent are brought to a temperature TL.

In some embodiments, the combined feedstream and solvent are maintained at

temperature TL via any suitable heat source or cooling system, including external heat

sources, recycled heat, heat exchangers, etc., as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, TL is below about 20°C. In some embodiments, TL is below

about 10°C. In some embodiments, TL is about 5°C. In some embodiments, the pH of

the combined feedstream and solvent is increased, e.g., via the addition of a basic

component, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0012] At 108, liquid from the feedstream is extracted into the solvent to form a

water-in-solvent extract component. In some embodiments, as discussed above, the one

or more solvents have temperature-dependent water solubility where water is more

soluble in the solvent at TL than at higher temperatures. Without wishing to be bound by

theory, at TL, water from the feedstream favorably interacts with the hydrophilic moieties

in the chemical structure of the solvents. Thus, at TL, water favorably partitions from the

feedstream into the solvent phase, leaving behind a raffinate component that retains the

scalants from the liquid feedstream. In some embodiments, the raffinate component

includes an aqueous phase, a solid phase, or combinations thereof.

[0013] In some embodiments, at 110, the solid phase is precipitated. In some

embodiments, at 112, the solid phase is separated from a liquid phase, e.g., via sieve,

membrane, etc. or combinations thereof. The solid phase includes one or more scalants

from the feedstream. As the feedstream comes in contact with the solvent, more and

more water is extracted into the water-in-solvent extract component, increasing the

concentration of scalants/salts in the raffinate component. When the solubility of the

scalants/salts is reached, they can precipitate out to form a solid phase in the raffinate

component. In some embodiments, the feedstream to solvent ratio is less than about 25.3

mL/mol, 20.2 mL/mol, 15 mL/mol, 10.1 mL/mol, 5.1 mL/mol, 2.5 mL/mol, etc. In some

embodiments, the feedstream to solvent ratio is about 15 mL/mol. In some embodiments,

the feedstream to solvent ratio is about 15.2 mL/mol. In some embodiments, the scalants

in the solid phase include hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, etc. In some

embodiments, the scalants in the solid phase include Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, FeCO3, Mg(OH)2,

MgCO3, MnCO3, SrCO3, BaSO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, SrSO4, alkali metal salts, e.g., NaCl, or

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 10

combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the solid phase separated at step 112 is

recycled or sold as a product, e.g., for use in other processes/products.

[0014] At 114, the water-in-solvent extract component is separated from the raffinate

component. In some embodiments, separation 114 occurs via a decanting process.

At 116, the water-in-solvent extract component is heated to a temperature TH. In some

embodiments, temperature TH is between about 40°C and about 80°C. In some

embodiments, temperature TH is about 70°C. In some embodiments, the water-in-solvent

extract component is heated and/or maintained at temperature TH via any suitable heat

source, including external heat sources, recycled heat, heat exchangers, etc. In some

embodiments, the heat source is a low-grade thermal source. In some embodiments, the

heat source is waste heat, renewable energy sources, e.g., wind, solar, hydrothermal, etc.,

or combinations thereof. Because the solubility of the water in the water-in-solvent

extract component decreases when temperature increases, the temperature swing from TL

to TH drives a phase separation in the water-in-solvent extract component. The result is a

biphasic mixture of dewatered solvent, the water having come out of solution by the

increase in temperature, and descaled water, the scalants having being previously

removed by precipitation and/or removal of the raffinate component. At 118, the

dewatered solvent is separated from the descaled water. In some embodiments, the

descaled water includes less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5%

weight percent total dissolved solids. In some embodiments, the descaled water separated

at step 118 is recycled or sold as a product for use in other processes. In some

embodiments, the descaled water is further processed to further reduce total dissolved

solids in the water, e.g., via a reverse osmosis process.

[0015] At 120, the dewatered solvent component is cooled from temperature TH. In

some embodiments, the dewatered solvent component is cooled 120 from temperature TH

to temperature TL. As will be discussed in greater detail below, in some embodiments,

heat lost in the cooling of the dewatered solvent component (as well as the descaled water

component) from TH can be recycled. In some embodiments, the heat is recycled in

method 100, e.g., at step 116, or a separate process. At 122, the dewatered solvent

component is combined with the feedstream, e.g., for use at one of steps 104, 106, or 108.

In some embodiments, method 100 is a continuous or substantially continuous process.

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 11

In some embodiments, method 100 is a semi-batch process. In some embodiments,

method 100 is a batch or substantially batch process.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 200, some embodiments of the present disclosure are

directed to a method 200 of producing a descaled water product. In some embodiments,

at 202, a volume of produced water is combined with one or more solvents. In some

embodiments, the volume of produced water to solvent ratio is less than about 25.3

mL/mol, 20.2 mL/mol, 15 mL/mol, 10.1 mL/mol, 5.1 mL/mol, 2.5 mL/mol, etc. As

discussed above, the one or more solvents have temperature-dependent water solubility.

In some embodiments, the solvent includes diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-

ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA),

triethylamine (TEA), N-methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N-

dimethylisopropylamine (DMIPA), or combinations thereof. As discussed above, in

some embodiments, the volume of produced water includes a plurality of soluble

scalants, e.g., salts. In some embodiments, the volume of produced water includes

produced water and flowback from oil and gas industry, fluegas desulfurization

embodiments, the volume of produced water includes a hypersaline solution, e.g., 1M-

5M+ NaCl solutions, for desalination. In the some embodiments, the total dissolved

solids in the feedstream is greater than about 60,000ppm, 70,000ppm, 80,000ppm,

90,000ppm, 100,000ppm, 110,000ppm, 120,000ppm, 130,000ppm, 140,000ppm,

150,000ppm, 160,000ppm, 170,000ppm, 180,000ppm, 190,000ppm, 200,000ppm,

210,000ppm, 220,000ppm, 230,000ppm, 240,000ppm, 250,000ppm, 260,000ppm,

270,000ppm, 280,000ppm, 290,000ppm, 300,000ppm, etc. In some embodiments, the

one or more scalants include minerals, metals, etc., or combinations thereof. In some

embodiments, the scalants include hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, etc. In

some embodiments, the scalants include Ca(OH)2, CaCO, FeCO3, Mg(OH)2, MgCO3,

MnCO3, SrCO3, BaSO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, SrSO4, alkali metal salts, e.g., NaCl, or

combinations thereof.

[0017] At 204, the pH of the combined produced water and solvent is raised to

produce an elevated-pH composition. In some embodiments, the pH is raised 204 by the

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 12 12

solvent. In some embodiments, the pH is raised 204 via the addition of a supplemental

basic component. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the solubility of scalants found

in the produced water can be pH-dependent, e.g., with salts being less soluble in more

alkaline conditions. Thus, as the pH of the solution increases, thermodynamic

equilibrium is driven to induce formation of a solid phase.

[0018] At 206, a solid phase is precipitated from the elevated-pH composition, the

solid phase including one or more of the scalants. At 208, the one or more scalants are

separated from the elevated-pH composition, e.g., via sieving with a membrane. At 210,

the elevated-pH composition is heated to a temperature TH to demix a descaled water

component from a dewatered solvent component. At 212, the dewatered solvent

component is removed to isolate a descaled water product. In some embodiments, the

descaled water product includes less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than

about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids.

[0019] At 214, the dewatered solvent component is cooled. In some embodiments,

the dewatered solvent component is cooled 214 to temperature TL. As will be discussed

in greater detail below, in some embodiments, heat lost in the cooling of the dewatered

solvent component (as well as the descaled water component) from TH can be recycled.

In some embodiments, the heat is recycled in method 200, e.g., at step 210, or a separate

process. At 216, the dewatered solvent component is combined with the volume of

produced water, e.g., for use in steps 202 and/or 204. In some embodiments, method 200

is a continuous or substantially continuous process. In some embodiments, method 200 is

a semi-batch process. In some embodiments, method 200 is a batch or substantially batch

process.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, some embodiments of the present disclosure are

directed to a system 300 of performing temperature swing solvent extraction, e.g.,

descaling/desalination of produced water/high-salinity brine. In some embodiments,

system 300 includes a feedstream 302 in fluid communication with a fluid source 304. In

some embodiments, fluid source 304 is from any suitable source, e.g., existing in the

natural environment, effluent from industrial processes, etc. In some embodiments, fluid

source 304, and thus feedstream 302, includes brines, produced waters, or combinations

thereof. In some embodiments, fluid source 304 includes high-salinity brine, produced

water and flowback from oil and gas industry, fluegas desulfurization wastewater, inland wo 2020/232438 WO PCT/US2020/033403 13 desalination concentrates, landfill leachate, waste streams of zero/minimum liquid discharge operations, waste effluents from thermoelectric power plants, discharges of coal-to-chemicals facilities, etc., or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, fluid source 304 includes a fluid having a total dissolved solids greater than about 60,000ppm,

70,000ppm, 80,000ppm, 90,000ppm, 100,000ppm, 110,000ppm, 120,000ppm,

130,000ppm, 140,000ppm, 150,000ppm, 160,000ppm, 170,000ppm, 180,000ppm,

190,000ppm, 200,000ppm, 210,000ppm, 220,000ppm, 230,000ppm, 240,000ppm,

250,000ppm, 260,000ppm, 270,000ppm, 280,000ppm, 290,000ppm, 300,000ppm, etc.

[0021] In some embodiments, system 300 includes a solvent source 306. In some

embodiments, solvent source 306 includes one or more solvents with temperature-

dependent water solubility. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the solvent is

basic. In some embodiments, the solvent includes one or more hydrophilic moieties in a

mainly hydrophobic structures. In some embodiments, the solvent is an amine solvent,

e.g., a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine solvent. In some embodiments, the solvent

includes diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N-

dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), triethylamine (TEA), N-

methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N-dimethylisopropylamine (DMIPA), or

combinations thereof.

[0022] In some embodiments, system 300 includes an extractor 308 in fluid

communication with feedstream 302 and solvent source 306. In some embodiments,

feedstream 302 and solvent from solvent source 306 are combined in extractor 308. In

some embodiments, the ratio of feedstream 302 to solvent in extractor 308 is less than

about 25.3 mL/mol, 20.2 mL/mol, 15 mL/mol, 10.1 mL/mol, 5.1 mL/mol, 2.5 mL/mol,

etc. As discussed above, in some embodiments, feedstream 302 and solvent are

combined at a temperature TL. In some embodiments, feedstream 302 and solvent are

combined at different temperatures and brought to a temperature TL. In some

embodiments, TL is below about 20°C. In some embodiments, TL is below about 10°C.

In some embodiments, TL is about 5°C. At temperature TL, water from feedstream 302

favorably partitions into the solvent phase, producing a raffinate component that retains

the scalants from the liquid feedstream. In some embodiments, the raffinate component

includes an aqueous phase, a solid phase, or combinations thereof.

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 PCT/US2020/033403 14 14

[0023] Further, as discussed above, upon combination feedstream 302 and solvent

from solvent source 306, liquid from the feedstream is extracted into the solvent to form a

water-in-solvent extract component. In some embodiments, extractor 308 includes at

least a first outlet 308A. In some embodiments, extractor 308B includes a second

outlet 308B. In some embodiments, a water-in-solvent extract outlet stream 310 is in

communication with first outlet 308A. In some embodiments, a raffinate outlet

stream 312 is in communication with second outlet 308B. In some embodiments,

raffinate outlet stream 312 includes an aqueous phase, a solid phase, or combinations

thereof. In some embodiments, extractor 308 includes one or more membranes 308C

configured to isolate solid phase products, e.g., from the raffinate component.

Membranes 308C can be of any suitable composition and pore-size to isolate the

components of a particular solid phase. In some embodiments, membranes 308C are

microporous, nanoporous, etc. In some embodiments, a membrane 308C is positioned in

second outlet 308B. In some embodiments, raffinate outlet stream 312 includes an

aqueous phase, any solid phase having been removed prior to exiting extractor 308, e.g.,

via 308B.

[0024] Extractor 308 can be of any suitable shape and volume to accommodate a

desired volume of liquid, e.g., feedstream 302 in one or more solvents. In one exemplary

embodiment, extractor 308 has a generally cylindrical shape, e.g., a liquid-liquid

extraction column. Feedstream 302 is introduced at the top of extractor 108 and contacts

solvent therein at temperature TL. The solvent progressively extracts water from the

denser aqueous phase as it sinks toward the bottom. Scalants precipitate out and

ultimately settle at the bottom of extractor 308, and are subsequently sieved off by

membranes 302C as liquid streams, e.g., 308A and 308B, exit the extractor.

[0025] In some embodiments, system 300 includes a separator 314 in fluid

communication with water-in-solvent extract outlet stream 310. Separator 314 is

configured to demix a descaled water component from a dewatered solvent component.

In some embodiments, separator 314 includes at least a third outlet 316 and a fourth

outlet 318. In some embodiments, a descaled water component outlet stream 320 is in

communication with third outlet 316 to remove the descaled water component from

separator 314. As discussed above, in some embodiments, descaled water component

outlet stream 320 includes less than about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids. In some embodiments, a dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322 is in communication with fourth outlet 318 to remove the dewatered solvent component from separator 314.

[0026] In some embodiments, system 300 includes a temperature controller 324A.

In some embodiments, temperature controller 324A is in thermal communication with

extractor 308 and/or water-in-solvent extract outlet stream 310, e.g., via a heat source,

cooling system, etc. In some embodiments, temperature controller 324A is in thermal

communication with raffinate outlet stream 312, separator 314, descaled water component

outlet stream 320, dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322, dewatered solvent

recycle conduit 326, feedstream 302, solvent stream, or combinations thereof. In some

embodiments, temperature controller 324A is in thermal communication with water-in-

solvent extract outlet stream 310 via separator 314. Temperature controller 324A is

configured to maintain a predetermined temperature in extractor 308, e.g.,

temperature TL, as well as in water-in-solvent extract outlet stream 310, e.g.,

temperature TH. The heat input to system 100 can be supplied from low-grade thermal

sources. In some embodiments, the heat is supplied from renewable energy sources, e.g.,

wind, solar, hydrothermal, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0027] In some embodiments, system 300 includes a pH controller 324B. In some

embodiments, pH controller 324B is in communication with extractor 308. In some

embodiments, pH controller 324B is in communication with water-in-solvent extract

outlet stream 310, raffinate outlet stream 312, separator 314, descaled water component

recycle conduit 326, feedstream 302, solvent stream, or combinations thereof. pH

controller 324B is configured to maintain a predetermined pH in components of

system 300, e.g., a lower pH in raffinate outlet stream 312, but a higher pH in

extractor 108. In some embodiments, pH controller 324B increases the pH in a

component of system 300 via addition of additional solvent, a basic component, or

combinations thereof.

[0028] In some embodiments, system 300 includes a dewatered solvent recycle

conduit 326 in fluid communication with dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322

and extractor 308. Dewatered solvent recycle conduit 326 is configured to direct the

dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322 to extractor 308 for recycling, e.g., in

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 16

embodiments where extractor 108 is operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner.

In some embodiments, system 300 includes one or more heat exchangers 328 In some

embodiments, heat exchangers 328 are in thermal communication with water-in-solvent

extract outlet stream 310, raffinate outlet stream 312, separator 314, descaled water

component outlet stream 320, dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322, dewatered

solvent recycle conduit 326, extractor 308, feedstream 302, solvent stream, or

combinations thereof. Heat exchangers 328 are configured to recycle heat to reduce the

overall energy cost of system 100. By way of example, in some embodiments, heat

exchanger 328 extracts heat from dewatered solvent component outlet stream 322 and

returns it to water-in-solvent extract outlet stream 310 to help demix the water and solvent

components of that stream.

[0029] System 300 is advantageous for use both in front of plant and back of plant

implementations. By way of example, in front of plant implementations, system 300 can

be used to treat fluids existing in nature to decontaminate those fluids, isolate impurities

for subsequent sale as a product, isolate impurities for use in industrial processes to

produce other products, etc., or combinations thereof. By way of further example, in

back of plant implementations, system 300 can be used to treat produced waters generated

by industrial processes, either for reuse in the industrial processes, isolate byproduct

impurities for subsequent sale as a product unto itself, decontaminate produced waters SO

as to provide less harmful wastes into the environment, etc., or combinations thereof.

EXAMPLE

[0030] Continuous operation of systems and methods of the present disclosure were

simulated by semibatch experiments with repeated extraction cycles, using DIPA as the

solvent and 5.0 M NaCl solution as the hypersaline feed. To simulate solvent

regeneration in continuous operation, the DIPA solvent was preloaded with DI water at

about 6.4 w/w% and consecutively reused in three repeated TSSE cycles. 1.5 mL of a

fresh brine (5.0 M NaCl) was introduced into 60 g of DIPA solvent in each extraction

cycle to achieve a brine to solvent ratio of 2.5 mL/mol. The precipitated solids were

sieved off with a microporous membrane under vacuum filtration and then weighed after

drying. The product water collected from each extraction cycle was weighed to evaluate

water recovery and analyzed for NaCl and solvent residue concentrations.

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 17 17

[0031] Referring now to FIGs. 4A-4B, water recovery, Y, and salt precipitated, P salt,

of each extraction cycle were evaluated to examine recyclability of the systems and

methods of the present disclosure. Water recovery is defined as the weight percent of the

product water relative to the initial brine feed. High Y of 91.2, 95.8, and 95.9% were

obtained for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cycles, respectively. Measured water recoveries were

marginally below 100%, even though all the water was extracted from the brine feed in

each cycle. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this discrepancy is mainly attributed

to conservative sampling of the product water during separation from the biphasic

mixture to avoid contamination by the solvent and slight undersaturation of the solvent in

the 1st cycle. Y remained practically constant when the solvent was reused for the 2nd

and 3rd cycles, indicating that ability of the solvent to extract water from the hypersaline

feed is preserved. Almost all the salt in the 5.0 M NaCl brines precipitated out after water

was extracted by the solvent and high P salt of ~91, 90, and 91% were maintained in

the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd extraction cycles, respectively. At the end of the last cycle, the DIPA

solvent was measured to hold ~6.5 w/w% water, effectively identical to the initial water

content, and thus, further highlighting solvent recyclability in continuous operation.

[0032] The product water quality in repeated extraction cycles was assessed for salt

concentration and solvent residue content. NaCl concentrations in the product water from

each extraction cycle were 0.26, 0.31, and 0.29 M. The product water salt concentrations

are markedly lower than the hypersaline feed of 5.0 M NaCl brine (93.8-94.8% reduction)

and the amount of salt in the product water corresponds to 4.3, 5.2, and 5.0 w/w% relative

to NaCl in the initial brine. Solvent residues in the product water were comparable at

about 0.2 mol/L between the extraction cycles investigated.

[0033] Osmotic pressure reductions of 93.1-93.9% were also achieved. With

substantially lowered TDS concentration and osmotic pressure, the desalted product water

can be further polished using conventional techniques, such as reverse osmosis, for post-

treatment with much less energy demand and fewer technical constraints, to yield a fit-

for-purpose reuse stream and even fresh drinking water. The trace amount of solvent

residues can also be recovered from the product water and returned to the cycle to curtail

solvent loss.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, the potential of the systems and methods of the

present disclosure was further evaluated with an actual field sample. Hypersaline feed

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 18

was prepared by evaporative concentration of RO effluent from the San Luis plant, CA,

which desalinates irrigation drainage water of San Joaquin Valley to reach TDS

concentration of ~295,000 ppm, i.e., approximately equivalent to 5.0 M NaCl brine.

Extraction of all the water from the brine sample precipitated -85.2% of the dissolved

solids, which were removed by filtration. Product water TDS concentration was

substantially reduced by -88.8% relative to the feed brine, from 295.4 g/L to 33.1 g/L.

Total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of the product water (0.27 mol/L) was

comparable to those obtained from semibatch TSSE-ZLD experiments with 5.0 M NaCl

solution as brine feed, which had no initial organic content, indicating that TOC in the

product water is mostly attributable to the solvent that has partitioned to the aqueous

phase.

[0035] Methods and system of the present disclosure are advantageous to treat

feedstreams with high total TDS. Even feedstreams with TDS approaching 300,000ppm

can be treated, with final concentrations having less than 5% total dissolved solids. These

results are achieved without the high-grade thermal energy requirements associated with

evaporative phase change properties, i.e., steam that is > 100 °C. Temperature swing

solvent extraction is uniquely suited for the desalination of hypersaline brines, a segment

of intensifying environmental importance but not accessible by RO and handicapped by

intrinsically poor energy efficiencies of evaporative methods. The technology is not

restricted by feed solution properties, unlike membrane based RO with hydraulic/osmotic

pressure limitation. Because TSSE does not require a phase change of water, the

penalizing energy cost associated with the enthalpy of vaporization is sidestepped and

significantly higher energy efficiencies are attainable. As only moderate temperatures are

needed (<70 °C in this study), the heat input can be supplied by low-grade thermal

sources such as industrial waste heat, shallow-well geothermal heat, and low-

concentration solar collectors, further enhancing the sustainability of TSSE. Other

solvents with different chemical structures and properties can yield better performances to

further expand the prospects of TSSE for energy-efficient and cost-effective desalination

of high-salinity brines.

[0036] Among the solvents, DIPA exhibited the highest water extraction efficiency

whereas ECHA and DMCHA produced water with the lowest salt content and solvent

residue content, respectively. Specific performance objectives, such as, high water

WO wo 2020/232438 PCT/US2020/033403 19

extraction efficiency, high salt removal, and low solvent loss, can be achieved by rational

solvent selection. High water recovery >50% was demonstrated for TSSE desalination

of 1.5 M NaCl brine in semi-batch experiments with multiple extraction cycles,

highlighting the potential for a scaled-up continuous process. Substantial energy savings

over conventional methods were achieved, drastically improving sustainability and

enhancing economic feasibility. In some embodiments, the methods and systems of the

present disclosure are applied to desalination/dewatering/reuse of hypersaline brines, e.g.,

produced water from the oil and gas industry, waste streams of minimum/zero liquid

discharge operations, inland desalination concentrate, landfill leachate, flue gas

desulfurization wastewater, treatment of high-scaling propensity feedwaters, and the like.

[0037] Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to

exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that

the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein

and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 03 Mar 2026 What is claimed is:

1. A method of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) desalination of brines, comprising:

providing a feedstream; 2020273466

combining the feedstream with a solvent, wherein the solvent has temperature- dependent water solubility;

bringing the combined feedstream and solvent to a temperature TL;

extracting a liquid from the feedstream into the solvent to form a water-in-solvent extract component and a raffinate component at temperature TL, wherein the raffinate component includes an aqueous phase and a solid phase;

separating the water-in-solvent extract component from the raffinate component;

separating the dewatered solvent and the descaled water,

wherein the descaled water includes less than 5% weight percent total dissolved solids.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feedstream includes brine, produced water, or combinations thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

cooling the dewatered solvent component from temperature TH; and

combining the dewatered solvent component with the feedstream.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: 03 Mar 2026

precipitating the solid phase; and

sieving the solid phase from a liquid phase, the solid phase including one or more scalants from the feedstream.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the one or more scalants includes an alkali 2020273466

metal salts, Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, FeCO3, Mg(OH)2, MgCO3, MnCO3, SrCO3, BaSO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, SrSO4, or combinations thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the solvent includes diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), triethylamine (TEA), N-methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N- dimethylisopropylamine (DMIPA), or combinations thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein TL is below 20°C.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein TL is 5°C.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein TH is between 40°C and 80°C.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein TH is 70°C.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feedstream has a total dissolved solids greater than 290,000ppm.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising less than 15 mL/mol feedstream to solvent when combining the feedsteam with the solvent.

13. A system of performing temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) desalination of high-salinity brines, comprising:

a feedstream in fluid communication with a fluid source; a solvent source including one or more solvents with temperature-dependent 03 Mar 2026 water solubility; an extractor in fluid communication with the feedstream and the solvent source, the extractor including at least a first outlet and a second outlet; a water-in-solvent extract outlet stream in communication with the first outlet; 2020273466 a raffinate outlet stream in communication with the second outlet, wherein the raffinate outlet stream includes an aqueous phase and a solid phase; a separator in fluid communication with the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, the separator including at least a third outlet and a fourth outlet; a descaled water component outlet stream in communication with the third outlet, the descaled water component including less than about 5% weight percent total dissolved solids; a dewatered solvent component outlet stream in communication with the fourth outlet; a temperature controller in communication with the extractor and the water-in- solvent extract outlet stream; and a dewatered solvent recycle conduit in fluid communication with the dewatered solvent component outlet stream and the extractor, the dewatered solvent recycle conduit configured to direct the dewatered solvent component outlet stream to the extractor.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the one or more solvents include diisopropylamine (DIPA), N-ethylcyclohexylamine (ECHA), and N,N- dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), triethylamine (TEA), N-methylcyclohexylamine (nMCHA), N,N-dimethylisopropylamine (DMIPA), or combinations thereof.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the extractor includes: one or more microporous membranes configured to isolate the solid phase 03 Mar 2026 product, wherein the feedstream to solvent stream ratio in the extractor is about 15 mL/mol.

16. The system according to claim 13, further comprising one or more heat exchangers in thermal communication with the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream, the separator, or 2020273466

combinations thereof.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream is not in fluid communication with a membrane separation system or an evaporative phase- change system.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the raffinate outlet stream is not in fluid communication with a membrane separation system or an evaporative phase-change system.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein the extractor is maintained at a temperature TL and the water-in-solvent extract outlet stream is heated to a temperature TH, wherein TL is below about 20°C and TH is between about 40°C and about 80°C.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein the one or more solvents are aliphatic amines.

21. The system according to claim 13, wherein the feedstream has a total dissolved solids greater than about 60,000ppm.