On-the-fly disinfection is an important process in the oil and gas industry, especially in hydraulic fracturing operations, where large volumes of water are used and the risk of microbial growth is high. The benefits of on-the-fly disinfection are vital to ensuring safety, staying efficient, and reducing environmental impact; however, if not performed properly, there can be costly mistakes. It is important to understand the common mistakes in order to ensure you do not make them yourself.
Common mistakes in on-the-fly disinfection:
- Incorrect dosing: One of the most common mistakes in on-the-fly disinfection is incorrect dosing of biocides. Biocides are chemicals used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms in water. If the biocide concentration is too low, it may not be effective in controlling microbial growth, whereas if the concentration is too high, it can lead to increased costs and potential harm to the environment. Therefore, it is important to properly calculate and monitor the biocide concentration to ensure it is effective while minimizing environmental impact.
- Failure to monitor: Another common mistake is a failure to monitor the biocide concentration and microbial growth in the water. Without proper monitoring, it can be difficult to determine if the biocide treatment is effective, leading to potential issues with microbial growth. Monitoring should be conducted regularly to ensure proper microbial control and adjust the biocide dosage if necessary.
- Improper application: On-the-fly disinfection systems require careful design and installation to ensure proper application of biocides. Improperly designed or installed systems can result in uneven distribution of biocides, leading to inconsistent microbial control and potential equipment damage. The system should be designed to ensure that the biocide is properly distributed throughout the water flow.
Benefits of on-the-fly disinfection:
- Continuous disinfection: On-the-fly disinfection systems provide continuous disinfection, ensuring that water remains free of microorganisms throughout the fracturing process. This reduces the risk of equipment damage, production losses, and other issues associated with microbial growth. Continuous disinfection can also improve the overall efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations.
- Improved efficiency: By preventing microbial growth, on-the-fly disinfection can improve the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations. Microbial growth can cause fouling and corrosion, which can reduce the flow rate and result in production losses. On-the-fly disinfection can reduce the risk of microbial growth, thereby increasing production efficiency and reducing costs.
- Reduced environmental impact: On-the-fly disinfection can reduce the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing by minimizing the use of chemicals and reducing the risk of contamination of nearby water sources. Properly designed and installed on-the-fly disinfection systems can reduce the amount of biocide needed, resulting in less chemical waste and environmental impact.
On-the-fly disinfection is an important process in hydraulic fracturing operations to prevent microbial growth and ensure efficient production. However, it is important to avoid common mistakes, such as incorrect dosing, failure to monitor, and improper application, which can lead to inconsistent microbial control and potential environmental harm. Properly designed and installed on-the-fly disinfection systems can provide continuous disinfection, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. If you would like to learn more about on-the-fly disinfection and how PureLine can help ensure you are avoiding these common mistakes, please fill out the contact form below and a PureLine representative will be in contact with you soon!
