GE and Memsys successfully test new membrane distillation system

US multinational conglomerate GE and Memsys Cleanwater have successfully tested a new vapour-compressor-driven membrane distillation system in a commercial disposal well situated in Texas.

The membrane distillation system is mainly used to concentrate produced water from the hydraulic fracturing process, and is expected to reduce produced water disposal costs and enable water reuse.

The new system, when fused with vapour compression, efficiently handles the high-salinity produced waters associated with unconventional gas exploration and production.

The field test results include maximum process time without any noticeable decline in performance and stable performance with brine concentrations near saturation. They also reveal lower energy consumption compared to conventional technology as well as high distillate quality.

The companies also plan to test the new technology in different geographies and applications, as well as scaling up the process.

Memsys Cleanwater CEO Götz Lange said that the new process in combination with a vapour compressor is expected to increase the number of possible applications even further.

"GE has been an excellent partner on this technological breakthrough, and we look forward to continuing commercialising this technology for produced water treatment for the oil and gas industry," Lange added.

In 2012, both the companies signed a deal to develop membrane distillation technology for unconventional resources such as shale gas, coal seam gas and other unconventional fuels recovered by hydraulic fracturing. As part of the deal, GE will invest in testing the technology, and in return will receive an exclusive license to use the technology in different applications.