System and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in one or more disposal wells

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well includes: an event monitor sensor configured to identify a wastewater disposal event; and a second sensor configured to collect data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event. The data from the second sensor at the disposal well is analyzed to determine a classification of the wastewater, which is then reported to an operator or another interested party.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well, comprising:
 a computer configured to execute computer-readable instructions;   at least one event monitor sensor in communication with the computer configured to identify a wastewater disposal event by identifying an entry into a wastewater facility by a disposal truck;   a second sensor in communication with the computer and configured to measure wastewater data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater disposed during the wastewater disposal event; and   a water analysis module operable on the computer to receive the wastewater data from the second sensor.   
     
     
         22 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the at least one event monitor sensor includes at least one of an imaging device, a camera, a laser beam and photo-eye combination, a coil of wire embedded in a road, a pneumatic tube, and a vibration sensor. 
     
     
         23 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the at least one event monitor sensor includes a current sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the current sensor is configured to monitor power consumption of one or more pumps that are associated with the disposal well. 
     
     
         25 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the one or more characteristics include volume of the wastewater disposed during the wastewater disposal event. 
     
     
         26 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second sensor includes at least one of: a total suspended solids (TSS) sensor; a pH sensor; and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second sensor comprises: a total suspended solids (TSS) sensor; a pH sensor; and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the water analysis module is further operable to determine a classification of the wastewater from the wastewater data by applying a water classification model to map the wastewater data to the classification, wherein the classification includes at least one of: produced water; flow-back water; pit water; or sediment waste. 
     
     
         29 . A method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well, comprising:
 identifying, by at least one event monitor sensor, a wastewater disposal event at the disposal well by identifying an entry into a wastewater facility by a disposal truck;   measuring, by a second sensor during the wastewater disposal event, wastewater data indicative of one or more characteristics of the wastewater; and   receiving, by a computer configured to execute computer-readable instructions, the wastewater data from the second sensor.   
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , further comprising positioning the at least one event monitor sensor. 
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the at least one event monitor sensor includes at least one of an imaging device, a camera, a laser beam and photo-eye combination, a coil of wire embedded in a road, a pneumatic tube, and a vibration sensor. 
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the at least one event monitor sensor is a current sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the current sensor monitors power consumption of one or more pumps that are associated with the disposal well. 
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the one or more characteristics include volume of the wastewater disposed during the wastewater disposal event. 
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the second sensor includes at least one of: a total suspended solids (TSS) sensor; a pH sensor; and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the second sensor comprises: a total suspended solids (TSS) sensor; a pH sensor; and a conductivity sensor. 
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 29 , wherein the computer is further configured to determine a classification of the wastewater from the wastewater data by applying a water classification model to map the wastewater data to the classification, wherein the classification includes at least one of: produced water; flow-back water; pit water; or sediment waste. 
     
     
         38 . A system for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well, comprising:
 a computer configured to execute computer-readable instructions;   at least one event monitor sensor including a current sensor in communication with the computer configured to identify a wastewater disposal event by monitoring power consumption of a pump associated with a wastewater facility;   a second sensor in communication with the computer and configured to measure wastewater data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event; and   a water analysis module operable on the computer to receive the wastewater data from the second sensor.   
     
     
         39 . A method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well, comprising:
 identifying, by at least one event monitor sensor including a current sensor, a wastewater disposal event at the disposal well by monitoring power consumption of a pump associated with a wastewater facility;   measuring, by a second sensor during the wastewater disposal event, wastewater data indicative of one or more characteristics of the wastewater; and   receiving, by a computer configured to execute computer-readable instructions, the wastewater data from the second sensor.