A solar desalination facility is now operational at a commercial saltwater disposal well in the Permian Basin, the first such in the U.S. Implemented by Sunvapor Inc. and Southeast New Mexico College, the 70 b/d oilfield water desalination pilot system processes produced water at a commercial saltwater disposal well operated by NGL Water Solutions Permian LLC in New Mexico.

The desalination process patented by Sunvapor combines two thermal processes: a membrane distillation bottoming process and an evaporation topping process. The approach delivers enhanced thermal efficiency and recovery ratios for hypersaline oilfield water without reliance on conventional electric power sources. Steam is used instead of electricity to drive the water treatment process, and the use of alternative energy for steam generation reduces the operating expenses and greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel consumption.

"By hosting the Sunvapor pilot, we are evaluating how their technology can cost-effectively purify oilfield wastewater to standards that will enable uses outside of the oilfield. We are impressed with Sunvapor's ability to operate on solar energy twenty-four hours a day utilizing their thermal battery technology as a means to continuously treat and dispose of produced water as an alternative to injection wells," said Doug White, NGL Water Solutions Permian LLC.

Desalination enables a reduction of up to 50% of the volume of injected wastewater. The resulting purified water stream may eventually be used for agricultural, industrial and other purposes.