Biological Treatment of Produced Water: A Review of Microbial Processes, Bioelectrochemical Systems and Emerging Biotechnologies for Sustainable Management

Abubakar Sadiq Isah, Abdulazeez Juwon Rotimi

Abstract


Produced water during oil and gas operations contains complex mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants. Biological treatments are a sustainable way to reduce the concentration of pollutants contained within the produced water and assist with reuse. This review discusses traditional biological treatments including activated sludge, biofilm reactors, constructed wetlands, and anaerobic systems, and novel biological treatments such as bioelectrochemical systems, halophiles, and algae. The efficiency, drawbacks, and possible application of these technologies within Nigerian oil and gas industries has been evaluated. Fixed bed hybrid biological reactor systems have shown high chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies up to 95%. Bioelectrochemical systems have shown to achieve approximately 90% contaminant removal of select pollutants. However, problems with high salinity levels, presence of toxic substances, complex produced water composition and lack of technical knowledge are a significant challenge. This is especially true within Nigeria as the produced water can contain up to 100,000 mg/L of salts. This review has identified ways that improvements can be made by developing salt tolerating cultures, combining biological treatments with physiochemical treatments and evaluating in pilot scale within local conditions. Full characterisation of produced water is also crucial. If biological treatment is properly designed it has a huge potential for sustainable produced water management within Nigeria's petroleum industry. 

Biological Treatment of Produced Water: A Review of Microbial Processes, Bioelectrochemical Systems and Emerging Biotechnologies for Sustainable Management


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References


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