Sustainable innovation in membrane technologies for produced water treatment: Challenges and limitations

Abstract

Discharged water from the oil and gas fields is a common type of wastewater called produced water (PW). It consists of different combinations of salinities, oils, and mineral deposits. Growing industrial demand, accelerated urbanization, and rapid population growth are putting enormous strain on the world’s water supply. Based on sustainable freshwater supplies, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia confront the ultimate water shortages threat. Proper implementation of innovative membrane technologies in wastewater treatment is considered a solution towards tackling water insecurity and sustainability. Different types of innovative membrane technologies used for produced water treatment were considered in this work. A framework of innovative membrane technology was studied for industrial wastewater with direct contribution to the environmental and economical sustainability factors, taking into consideration grand challenges and limitations in energy costs and environmental constraints. Treated produced water can be utilized in irrigation providing many benefits only if the desalination sector is mature and fully developed.