Oil Shale Development in Western U.S.: Water Resources

Oil Shale Development in Western U.S.: Oil Shale Development in Western U.S.: Water Resources ChallengesWater Resources ChallengesWater Resources Challenges Water Resources Challenges

and Solutionsand SolutionsSteve Burian, Steve Burian, Eric Eric Jones, Jones, Andy Andy Hong, Hong, Ramesh Goel, Liang Li, Ramesh Goel, Liang Li,

ZhixiongZhixiong Cha, Beth DudleyCha, Beth Dudley--Murphy, and Greg NashMurphy, and Greg NashDepartment of Civil & Environmental EngineeringDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering

2009 2009 AWRAAWRA Spring Specialty Conference Spring Specialty Conference May 4May 4--6, 6, 2009 2009 Anchorage, AKAnchorage, AK

Institute for Clean and Institute for Clean and Secure EnergySecure Energy

Department of Civil & Environmental EngineeringDepartment of Civil & Environmental EngineeringUniversity of UtahUniversity of Utah

Oil Shale DevelopmentOil Shale Development



Shell In Situ R&D Facility, Shell In Situ R&D Facility, PiceancePiceance Basin, Colorado)Basin, Colorado)

Water Resources ChallengesWater Resources ChallengesWater DemandWater Demand

IndustrialIndustrialMunicipalMunicipalMunicipalMunicipalEnergyEnergy

Water QualityWater Quality

5 85 8 MAFMAF



(Hobbs 2008)(Hobbs 2008)

5.8 5.8 MAFMAF

Water Resources ChallengesWater Resources Challenges

How much water is needed?How much water is needed?How much water is needed?How much water is needed?How much water is available?How much water is available?How can we protect water quality and meet How can we protect water quality and meet Are we crazy?Are we crazy?o ca e p otect ate qua ty a d eeto ca e p otect ate qua ty a d eetwater demands?water demands?Can we manage this interconnected waterCan we manage this interconnected water--

Are we crazy?Are we crazy?energy system?energy system?



How Much Water isHow Much Water is Needed?Needed?

Urban growthUrban growthWater and energy demandWater and energy demand

Urban Growth SectorUrban Growth Sector

ConservationConservationCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions

R S tR S tResource quantificationResource quantificationExtraction technologiesExtraction technologiesProcessing technologiesProcessing technologies

Resource SectorResource Sector

Processing technologiesProcessing technologiesCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions

Energy Generation SectorEnergy Generation SectorAdvanced conventional Advanced conventional generationgenerationAlternative generationAlternative generation

Energy Generation SectorEnergy Generation Sector

Alternative generationAlternative generationCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions



U b G th S tU b G th S t

How Much Water isHow Much Water is Needed?Needed?Growth projectionsGrowth projectionsNew development New development ––sustainable designsustainable design


sustainable designsustainable designWater & energy Water & energy conservationconservation

R S tR S tNew estimates of New estimates of OOIPOOIP of of oil shale resources and oil shale resources and production ratesproduction rates


production ratesproduction ratesNew tech.: 1New tech.: 1--3 gal 3 gal water/gal oil producedwater/gal oil produced

Energy Generation SectorEnergy Generation SectorCoalCoal--fired power plant fired power plant ––550 gal water/KWh550 gal water/KWhAlternative energyAlternative energy


Alternative energy Alternative energy generationgeneration



Projecting Urban GrowthProjecting Urban Growth



Projecting Urban GrowthProjecting Urban Growth

Uinta Basin population = 40,516Uinta Basin population = 40,516County population: County population: DaggetDagget 921, 921, Duchesne Duchesne 14,371, Uintah 25,24414,371, Uintah 25,244Population growth rate has Population growth rate has remained remained constant constant except except oil oil



boomsbooms

How Much Water is Needed?How Much Water is Needed?

(OTA(OTA(OTA (OTA 1980)1980)



HowHow Much Water is Available?Much Water is Available?Surface water Surface water sources: Colorado, sources: Colorado, Green White RiversGreen White RiversGreen, White RiversGreen, White RiversAverage annual Average annual flow: Green River = flow: Green River =

ff ((3800 3800 cfscfs (2.8 (2.8 MAFMAF/yr)/yr)Groundwater: Groundwater: FerronFerron Sandstone Sandstone Member, Member, MesaverdeMesaverdeGroup AquiferGroup AquiferGroup Aquifer, Group Aquifer, Blackhawk Blackhawk Formation, etc.Formation, etc.



10 00010 000 W t Ri htW t Ri ht i t i Ui t B ii t i Ui t B i

HowHow Much Water is Available?Much Water is Available?>10,000 >10,000 Water Rights Water Rights exist in Uinta Basinexist in Uinta BasinUinta Basin closed to new Uinta Basin closed to new appropriations of surface waterappropriations of surface waterpp ppp pGWGW restricted: Small Domestics, restricted: Small Domestics, Temporary Use (1Temporary Use (1--yr), and Fixed yr), and Fixed Time (up to 20Time (up to 20--yrs) applicationsyrs) applicationsTime (up to 20Time (up to 20--yrs) applicationsyrs) applications



Where Where MightMight the Water Come From?the Water Come From?Ui t B i l d f ll ti hi t i l t i ht ?Uinta Basin closed for new allocation; historical water rights?GW: small domestic, fixed time and temporary more than likely to come from groundwater (unless able to show diversion of surface water will not impact senior right)water will not impact senior right)Deep groundwater – possible with desalinationDiversion from Wyoming, Mississippi River, or use of Native American allocations – are we crazy?American allocations are we crazy?Reuse (treatment and water right)



WaterWater Quality and ReuseQuality and Reuse

Urban growthUrban growthWater and energy demandWater and energy demand


ConservationConservationCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions

Resource SectorResource SectorResource quantificationResource quantificationExtraction technologiesExtraction technologiesProcessing technologiesProcessing technologies


Processing technologiesProcessing technologiesCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions

Energy Generation SectorEnergy Generation SectorAdvanced conventional Advanced conventional generationgenerationAlternative generationAlternative generation


Alternative generationAlternative generationCarbon emissionsCarbon emissions



Produced Water TreatmentProduced Water TreatmentBi l i l d h i h dBi l i l d h i h d iiBiological and heightenedBiological and heightened--ozonationozonation treatment treatment (“HOT”) approaches(“HOT”) approachesAlso integrating the two to create a robustAlso integrating the two to create a robustAlso integrating the two to create a robust Also integrating the two to create a robust produced water treatment and reuse approachproduced water treatment and reuse approach

Modified SBRSludge Holding Biomass

Feeds A & B pH controlB

Modified-SBR Tank

Effluent Internal recycling

To Drain



Biological Treatment Biological Treatment ApproachApproachThe approach employs physical, chemical and The approach employs physical, chemical and biological processesbiological processesEmploys membrane technologyEmploys membrane technologyEmploys membrane technologyEmploys membrane technology

Pretreatment Research emphasis

Dissolved Air Floatation

Ferric Chloride Assisted

Electrochemical oxidation

Membrane bioreactor

Pretreatment p

Floatation Assisted coagulation

oxidation bioreactor

Remove dispersed oil, suspended solids, part of the organic pollutants

Remove ammonia

Turn refractory rg i tt r i t

Remove small organic compounds

R llpollutants organic matters into small molecular compounds

Remove small particles



Biological Treatment Biological Treatment TestingTestingGenetically identified bacteria, enriched/isolated the Genetically identified bacteria, enriched/isolated the bacteria of interest and biobacteria of interest and bio--augmented a bioreactoraugmented a bioreactorMicrobial tools revealed bacteria community associatedMicrobial tools revealed bacteria community associatedMicrobial tools revealed bacteria community associated Microbial tools revealed bacteria community associated with genus with genus PseudomonasPseudomonas and genus and genus BurkholderiaBurkholderiaPreliminary treatment results have been positivePreliminary treatment results have been positive

ion

(c/c

0)

1.0

1.2

result of controlresult of reactor 1 0

1.2

result o f contro lresult o f reac tor

hale

ne c

once

ntra

ti

.6

.8

.6

.8

1.0

norm

aliz

ed n

apht

h

.2

.4

A

0.0

.2

.4

B

time (min)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 1400.0

tim e (m in)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140



Ri i

“HOT” Produced“HOT” Produced Water TreatmentWater TreatmentO3 O3

Rising

O3

O3O3

ExpandingO3O3

O3

p gBubble

O3

O3 flows in to fill the Interface expandingGas bubbles expand,

Oil (dispersed & dissolved)

3expanding gas bubble

expandingcoalesce, and rise

Expanding gas-liquid interfacep g g qOil accumulated at the interface



HOT Testing HOT Testing -- Refinery WastewaterRefinery WastewaterWastewater:Wastewater:Wastewater:Wastewater:Suspended & dissolved oils Suspended & dissolved oils (COD = 600 mg/L; turbidity = (COD = 600 mg/L; turbidity = 190190 NTUNTU190 190 NTUNTU

Treatment: Treatment: 20 pressure cycles of 20 pressure cycles of ozonationozonation followed by rapid followed by rapid sand filtration (0.25 sand filtration (0.25 –– 0.42 mm 0.42 mm size) in 30 minsize) in 30 min

Outcomes: Outcomes: •• No suspended oil (or surface No suspended oil (or surface oil sheen)oil sheen)

Approach has also been used to treat Approach has also been used to treat t i t d di t i it i t d di t i ioil sheen)oil sheen)

•• Products of biodegradable Products of biodegradable soluble organic acids (COD = soluble organic acids (COD = 110 mg/L; turbidity = 6110 mg/L; turbidity = 6 NTUNTU;;

contaminated sediments in marine contaminated sediments in marine environments environments –– demonstrating demonstrating potential even in high salinity potential even in high salinity conditionsconditions110 mg/L; turbidity = 6 110 mg/L; turbidity = 6 NTUNTU; ;

BODBOD55/COD ratio = 0.57)/COD ratio = 0.57)conditionsconditions



ThiThis is Easy!s is Easy!

“Anyone who solves the problem of water deserves “Anyone who solves the problem of water deserves Anyone who solves the problem of water deserves Anyone who solves the problem of water deserves not one Nobel Prize but two not one Nobel Prize but two –– one for science and one for science and the other for peace”the other for peace”pp

-- John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy

TheThe System is Not This Simple!System is Not This Simple!

Integrated Water ManagementIntegrated Water ManagementThe word rival comes from the Latin The word rival comes from the Latin rivalisrivalis, “one using , “one using the same brook as another” (the same brook as another” (WorsterWorster, 1985:105), 1985:105)

M&IM&I Fish & Fish & WildlifeWildlife

Flood Flood ControlControl

NavigationNavigationHydropowerHydropower

CoordinationWastewater & Wastewater & Water QualityWater Quality

IrrigationIrrigation

Parks & Rec.Parks & Rec.Mining/ Mining/

ExtractionExtractionExtractionExtraction



Uinta Basin Water ManagementUinta Basin Water Management

M&IM&I Fish &Fish &FloodFlood M&IM&I Fish & Fish & WildlifeWildlife

Flood Flood ControlControl

H dH d“Agricultural municipal and energy

CoordinationNavigationNavigation

Wastewater &Wastewater &

HydropowerHydropowerAgricultural, municipal, and energy sectors in Uintah and Duchesne Counties are expected to significantly increaseWastewater & Wastewater & Water QualityWater Quality

IrrigationIrrigation

are expected to significantly increase their demand for water in the near future.” gg

Parks & Rec.Parks & Rec.Mining/ Mining/

ExtractionExtraction

future.

((NETLNETL))



SummarySummary1.1. Big water management challenge in region Big water management challenge in region –– oil shale or oil shale or

not not -- and this research addresses the issuesand this research addresses the issues22 Energy resource development will require substantialEnergy resource development will require substantial2.2. Energy resource development will require substantial Energy resource development will require substantial

quantities of water; the water may be available, but we quantities of water; the water may be available, but we have a value choice as a societyhave a value choice as a society

3.3. Sustainable development, alternative energy, and water Sustainable development, alternative energy, and water reuse may be part of the solution (value choice?)reuse may be part of the solution (value choice?)



Questions?Questions?

This research is supported by This research is supported by DOEDOE funding to the Institute funding to the Institute

SteveSteve BurianBurian

pp ypp y ggfor Clean and Secure Energy at the University of Utahfor Clean and Secure Energy at the University of Utah

Steve Steve BurianBurianDepartment of Civil & Environmental EngineeringDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering

University of UtahUniversity of Utahburian@eng utah eduburian@eng utah [email protected]@eng.utah.edu



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Oil Shale Development in Western U.S.: Water Resources