Method and device for concentrating dissolved solids in flowback and produced water from natural gas wells

Abstract

A wastewater concentrator a liquid evaporator assembly, a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust assembly, and a flowback water concentrating system. The flowback water concentrating system includes a settling tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a supernatant liquid concentration sensor for measuring a concentration of dissolved solids in the supernatant liquid in the settling tank.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device for concentrating dissolved solids in flowback water from natural gas wells, the device comprising:
 a liquid evaporator assembly;   a gas-liquid separator fluidly connected to the liquid evaporator assembly;   an exhaust assembly fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator;   a settling tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator; and   a concentrated supernatant liquid sensor disposed in the settling tank for measuring a concentration of dissolved solids in the supernatant liquid in the settling tank.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a slurry concentration sensor in the settling tank for measuring a concentration level of suspended solids in the slurry in the settling tank. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the settling tank further comprises a stirring rod. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a rake operatively attached to the stirring rod. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the stirring rod rotates at between 1 RPM and 10 RPM. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein an inner surface of the settling tank comprises an inner epoxy liner. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the inner epoxy liner is approximately 30 mil thick.