VWS MPPE Technology

 
MPPE unit

Proven water treatment process for removing dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbons and substances

Macro Porous Polymer Extraction (MPPE) Technology is a VWS proprietary and patented water treatment process.

Most recently, VWS designed, supplied and installed MPPE technology in the produced water treatment process system located at the € multi-billion Ormen Lange Gas Field project overseen by Hydro, Shell, Statoil, BP, Exxon and the Norwegian government.

Macro Porous Polymer Extraction Technology

In the MPPE water treatment process, hydrocarbon-contaminated water is passed through a column packed with MPPE media. This media are porous polymer beads that contain a specific extraction liquid. The immobilised extraction liquid removes the hydrocarbon components from the process water. The purified water can either be reused or discharged.

Periodical in-situ generation of the extraction liquid is accomplished by stripping the hydrocarbons using low pressure steam. The stripped hydrocarbons are condensed and then separated from the water phase by gravity. The almost 100% pure hydrocarbon phase is recovered, removed from the system and left ready for recycling or disposal.

The condensed aqueous phase is recycled into the system. The application of two columns allows continuous operation with simultaneous extraction and regeneration. A typical cycle is one hour of extraction and one hour of regeneration.

MPPE unit

Hydrocarbon Removal with MPPE to <1PPB

MPPE technology can reduce dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbons such as aliphatics, aromatics, polyaromatic and halogenated (chlorinated) hydrocarbons with 99.9999% removal. MPPE technology can be applied in offshore produced water, process water, wastewater and ground water in a wide variety of markets including the offshore, gas and oil, chemical, coatings and pharmaceutical industries.




Dissolved and dispersed components that can be removed from produced water include:

  • Aromatics (benzene and xylene (BTEX)
  • Polyaromatics hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Naphtalenes, phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes (NPDs)
  • Aliphatics; dispersed oil
  • Hydrophobic parts of corrosion, scale and hydrate inhibitors and H2S scavengers
  • TEOX / TEOC (total extractable organics)
  • Halogenated hydrocarbons (such as chlorinated, bromated etc.)

All other "hydrophobic" components (e.g. CS2, THT) Other components that are also but partly removed (up to 80% depending on the conditions) are alkylated phenols, (ortho-, meta-, para-) cresols, higher alcohols and ethers.

MPPE can withstand complex produced water environments containing salt, methanol, glycols, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, H2S scavengers, demulsifiers, defoamers and dissolved (heavy) metals.

MPPE Water Purification System Benefits

Ideal for upstream process integration, MPPE is a highly compact water purification system that is also robust, reliable, fully automated, remote controllable (via laptops and mobile phones), easy to operate and flexible.

The MPPE media performance is guaranteed during the operational life of the unit at a fixed annual cost irrespective of the number of changes of the MPPE material.

MPPE ensures extremely high separation performance, proven competitiveness compared with air stripping/activated carbon, steam stripping and bio-treatment systems. MPPE's energy consumption is typically 50 times lower than standard steam stripping.

Biological fouling is prevented by the periodic in-situ regeneration afforded by steam.

Remote control mobile MPPE units are available for offshore field testing.

MPPE unit

MPPE Complies with Present and Future Emission Regulations

Many major multinational companies such as TOTAL, NAM (Shell/Exxon), Hydro, Albemarle, Solvay and Gaz de France have installed MPPE units onshore and offshore.

Offshore emission regulations in the North East Atlantic will be reduced to 30ppm from <40ppm. Total emissions must be reduced in 2006 by 15% compared to reference year 2000.

MPPE Reduces Environmental Impact by up to 95%

Future emission restrictions are also considered for dissolved hydrocarbons such as Aromatics (BTEX) and poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, NPDs) having a toxic impact on the environment. MPPE has a proven record in removing these toxic components by >99.99% and so significantly contributes to achieving emissions with zero environmental impact.

Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) reductions with MPPE of >95% have been reported in Norway.