Abstract
Oilfield produced water is the largest waste stream associated with oil production and is considered a major environmental concern, demanding new treatment strategies to efficiently remove its contaminants before disposal. These new technologies should be cost-effective with near-zero pollutant discharge. Adsorption with nanostructured materials has the potential to meet these characteristics since it is possible to remove contaminants present even in low concentrations, being suitable as a polishing step. Magnetic nanoadsorbents, in particular, can be easily separated after the sorption process and subsequently regenerated and reused. The present study provides a review of the technologies available for the treatment of produced water, focusing on the removal of dissolved compounds and the use of magnetic nanoadsorbents. The synthesis, surface modification, and regeneration strategies of magnetic nanoparticles and their subsequent reuse are also addressed. This class of nanomaterials is a promising alternative for the treatment of oilfield produced water, especially on offshore platforms, where weight and space limitations are crucial when choosing the ideal treatment technology.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Not applicable.
References
Abdulredha MM, Hussain SA, Abdullah LC, Hong TL (2022) Water-in-oil emulsion stability and demulsification via surface-active compounds: a review. J Pet Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109848
Akhtar Z, Waters JA, Pérez de Ortiz ES (2014) Separation of naphthenic acid from an oil-phase using novel magnetic composite particles. J Chem Technol Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.4341
Al-Ghouti MA, Al-Kaabi MA, Ashfaq MY, Da’na DA (2019) Produced water characteristics, treatment and reuse: a review. J Water Process Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.02.001
Ali A, Zafar H, Zia M et al (2016) Synthesis, characterization, applications, and challenges of iron oxide nanoparticles. Nanotechnol Sci Appl. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSA.S99986
Al-Kaabi MA, Zouari N, Da’na DA, Al-Ghouti MA (2021) Adsorptive batch and biological treatments of produced water: recent progresses, challenges, and potentials. J Environ Manage. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112527
Antone AJ, Sun Z, Bao Y (2019) Preparation and application of iron oxide nanoclusters. Magnetochemistry. https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry5030045
Anushree C, Krishna DNG, Philip J (2020) Oil-absorbent MnOx capped iron oxide nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and applications in oil recovery. J Mol Liq. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114324
Arnold K, Stewart M (2007). In: Arnold K, Stewart M (eds) Surface production operations: design of oil handling systems and facilities, 3rd edn. Elsevier
Arthur JD, Langhus BG, Patel C (2005) Technical summary of oil and gas produced water treatment technologies
Bakry AM, Abbas S, Ali B et al (2016) Microencapsulation of oils: a comprehensive review of benefits, techniques, and applications. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12179
Bartilotti M, Viana TS, de Oliveira DP et al (2021) Assessment of the improved performance of magnetite-modified vermiculite in the reduction of BTEX and metals, as well as toxicity in petroleum-produced water. J Water Process Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101749
Beyer J, Goksøyr A, Hjermann DØ, Klungsøyr J (2020) Environmental effects of offshore produced water discharges: a review focused on the Norwegian continental shelf. Mar Environ Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105155
Chang C-F, Chang C-Y, Hsu T-L (2011) Removal of fluoride from aqueous solution with the superparamagnetic zirconia material. Desalination. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.06.039
Cotin G, Piant S, Mertz D et al (2018). In: Mahmoudi M, Laurent S (eds) Iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications: synthesis, functionalization and application. Elsevier
Da Silva SS, Chiavone-Filho O, De Barros Neto EL, Foletto EL (2015) Oil removal from produced water by conjugation of flotation and photo-Fenton processes. J Environ Manage. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.08.021
Dudek M, Vik EA, Aanesen SV, Øye G (2020) Colloid chemistry and experimental techniques for understanding fundamental behaviour of produced water in oil and gas production. Adv Colloid Interface Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2020.102105
El-Maghrabi HH, Hosny R, Ramzi M et al (2019) Preparation and characterization of novel magnetic ZnFe2O4–hydroxyapatite core-shell nanocomposite and its use as fixed bed column system for removal of oil residue in oily wastewater samples. Egypt J Pet. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2018.12.005
Elmobarak WF, Almomani F (2021a) Application of Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles grafted in silica (SiO2) for oil recovery from oil in water emulsions. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129054
Elmobarak WF, Almomani F (2021b) Application of magnetic nanoparticles for the removal of oil from oil-in-water emulsion: regeneration/reuse of spent particles. J Pet Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108591
Fakhru’l-Razi A, Pendashteh A, Abdullah LC et al (2009) Review of technologies for oil and gas produced water treatment. J Hazard Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.05.044
Franco CA, Martínez M, Benjumea P et al (2014) Water remediation based on oil adsorption using nanosilicates functionalized with a petroleum vacuum residue. Adsorpt Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1260/0263-6174.32.2-3.197
Galvão WS, Neto DMA, Freire RM, Fechine PBA (2015) Super-paramagnetic nanoparticles with spinel structure: a review of synthesis and biomedical applications. Solid State Phenom. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.241.139
Gehrke I, Geiser A, Somborn-Schulz A (2015) Innovations in nanotechnology for water treatment. Nanotechnol Sci Appl. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSA.S43773
Goh PS, Ong CS, Ng BC, Ismail AF (2019). In: Ahsan A, Ismail AF (eds) Nanotechnology in water and wastewater treatment: theory and applications. Elsevier
Gu J, Jiang W, Wang F et al (2014) Facile removal of oils from water surfaces through highly hydrophobic and magnetic polymer nanocomposites. Appl Surf Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.02.112
Gupta AK, Gupta M (2005) Synthesis and surface engineering of iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Biomaterials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.10.012
Hasany SF, Abdutahman NH, Sunarti AR, Jose R (2013) Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: chemical synthesis and applications review. Curr Nanosci. https://doi.org/10.2174/15734137113099990085
Hendges LT, Costa TC, Temochko B et al (2021) Adsorption and desorption of water-soluble naphthenic acid in simulated offshore oilfield produced water. Process Saf Environ Prot. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.08.018
Hournkumnuard K, Dolwithayakul B, Chantrapornchai C (2014) Parallel simulation of HGMS of weakly magnetic nanoparticles in irrotational flow of inviscid fluid. Sci World J. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/519654
Igunnu ET, Chen GZ (2014) Produced water treatment technologies. Int J Low-Carbon Technol. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/cts049
Jiménez S, Micó MM, Arnaldos M et al (2018) State of the art of produced water treatment. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.139
Kabyl A, Yang M, Abbassi R, Li S (2020) A risk-based approach to produced water management in offshore oil and gas operations. Process Saf Environ Prot. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2020.04.021
Kaiser MJ (2020) Offshore oil and gas records circa 2020. Ships Offshore Struct. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445302.2020.1827633
KayvaniFard A, Rhadfi T, Mckay G et al (2016) Enhancing oil removal from water using ferric oxide nanoparticles doped carbon nanotubes adsorbents. Chem Eng J. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.02.040
Khan I, Saeed K, Khan I (2019) Nanoparticles: properties, applications and toxicities. Arab J Chem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2017.05.011
Kheshti Z, AzodiGhajar K, Altaee A, Kheshti MR (2019) High-Gradient Magnetic Separator (HGMS) combined with adsorption for nitrate removal from aqueous solution. Sep Purif Technol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.11.080
Kheshti Z, Ghajar KA, Moreno-Atanasio R et al (2020) Investigating the high gradient magnetic separator function for highly efficient adsorption of lead salt onto magnetic mesoporous silica microspheres and adsorbent recycling. Chem Eng Process. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2019.107770
Klemz AC, Damas MSP, González SYG et al (2020) The use of oilfield gaseous byproducts as extractants of recalcitrant naphthenic acids from synthetic produced water. Sep Purif Technol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117123
Ko S, Kim ES, Park S et al (2016) Oil droplet removal from produced water using nanoparticles and their magnetic separation. SPE Ann Tech Conf Exhibit. https://doi.org/10.2118/181893-MS
Ko S, Kim ES, Park S et al (2017) Amine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for removal of oil droplets from produced water and accelerated magnetic separation. J Nanoparticle Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-017-3826-6
Kumar S, Ahlawat W, Bhanjana G et al (2014) Nanotechnology-based water treatment strategies. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2014.9050
Kwon H-W, Hong H-P, Ha D-W, Kim Y-H (2021) Selective removal of Pb from aqueous phase by HGMS and ion-imprinted magnetic adsorbent. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond. https://doi.org/10.1109/TASC.2021.3057566
Lan Q, Liu C, Yang F et al (2007) Synthesis of bilayer oleic acid-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their application in pH-responsive Pickering emulsions. J Colloid Interface Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2007.01.081
Lata S, Samadder SR (2016) Removal of arsenic from water using nano adsorbents and challenges: a review. J Environ Manage. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.10.039
Leong SS, Ahmad Z, Low SC et al (2020) Unified view of magnetic nanoparticle separation under magnetophoresis. Langmuir. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00839
Li H, Zhu Y (2020) Liquid-phase synthesis of iron oxide nanostructured materials and their applications. Chem A Eur J. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202000679
Li S, Li N, Yang S et al (2014) The synthesis of a novel magnetic demulsifier and its application for the demulsification of oil-charged industrial wastewaters. J Mater Chem A. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta12952g
Li T, Yu Z, Yang T et al (2021) Modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for COD removal in oil field produced water and regeneration. Environ Technol Innov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101630
Liang H, Esmaeili H (2021) Application of nanomaterials for demulsification of oily wastewater: a review study. Environ Technol Innov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101498
Liang J, Du N, Song S, Hou W (2015) Magnetic demulsification of diluted crude oil-in-water nanoemulsions using oleic acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.11.050
Liu Y, Li Y, Lu H et al (2021a) A full-scale process for produced water treatment on offshore oilfield: reduction of organic pollutants dominated by hydrocarbons. J Clean Prod. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126511
Liu Y, Lu H, Li Y et al (2021b) A review of treatment technologies for produced water in offshore oil and gas fields. Sci Total Environ. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145485
Lü T, Zhang S, Qi D et al (2016) Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted magnetic nanoparticles for efficient treatment of emulsified oily wastewater. J Alloys Compd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.07.262
Lü T, Zhang S, Qi D et al (2017) Synthesis of pH-sensitive and recyclable magnetic nanoparticles for efficient separation of emulsified oil from aqueous environments. Appl Surf Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.11.223
Ma J, Yao M, Yang Y, Zhang X (2022) Comprehensive review on stability and demulsification of unconventional heavy oil-water emulsions. J Mol Liq. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118510
Mandel K, Hutter F (2012) The magnetic nanoparticle separation problem. Nano Today. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2012.05.001
Mirshahghassemi S, Lead JR (2015) Oil recovery from water under environmentally relevant conditions using magnetic nanoparticles. Environ Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b02687
Mirshahghassemi S, Cai B, Lead JR (2016) Evaluation of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for oil separation under environmentally relevant conditions: effect of ionic strength and natural organic macromolecules. Environ Sci Nano. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5EN00282F
Mirshahghassemi S, Cai B, Lead JR (2019) A comparison between the oil removal capacity of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles in natural and synthetic environmental samples. Environ Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b06990
Mondal P, Anweshan A, Purkait MK (2020) Green synthesis and environmental application of iron-based nanomaterials and nanocomposite: a review. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127509
Nasiri M, Jafari I (2017) Produced water from oil-gas plants: a short review on challenges and opportunities. Period Polytech Chem Eng. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.8786
Nawaz M, Sliman Y, Ercan I et al (2019). In: Makhlouf ASH, Abu-Thabit NY (eds) Stimuli responsive polymeric nanocarriers for drug delivery applications—volume 2: advanced nanocarriers for therapeutics. Elsevier
Neff J, Lee K, DeBlois EM (2011). In: Lee K, Neff J (eds) Produced water: environmental risks and advances in mitigation technologies. Springer, New York
Olajire AA (2020) Recent advances on the treatment technology of oil and gas produced water for sustainable energy industry-mechanistic aspects and process chemistry perspectives. Chem Eng J Adv. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2020.100049
Piccioli M, Aanesen SV, Zhao H et al (2020) Gas flotation of petroleum produced water: a review on status, fundamental aspects, and perspectives. Energy Fuels. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c03262
Prigiobbe V, Ko S, Wang Q et al (2015) Magnetic nanoparticles for efficient removal of oilfield contaminants: modeling of magnetic separation and validation. SPE Int Sympos Oilfield Chem. https://doi.org/10.2118/173786-MS
Punia P, Bharti MK, Chalia S et al (2021) Recent advances in synthesis, characterization, and applications of nanoparticles for contaminated water treatment—a review. Ceram Int. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.09.050
Qi Z, Joshi TP, Liu R et al (2018) Adsorption combined with superconducting high gradient magnetic separation technique used for removal of arsenic and antimony. J Hazard Mater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.09.007
Qu X, Alvarez PJJ, Li Q (2013) Applications of nanotechnology in water and wastewater treatment. Water Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.09.058
Saikia J, Gogoi A, Baruah S (2019). In: Dasgupta N, Ranjan S, Lichtfouse E (eds) Environmental nanotechnology, 1st edn. Springer
Shukla S, Khan R, Daverey A (2021) Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, and their applications in wastewater treatment: a review. Environ Technol Innov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101924
Simonsen G, Strand M, Øye G (2018) Potential applications of magnetic nanoparticles within separation in the petroleum industry. J Pet Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.02.048
Simonsen G, Strand M, Norrman J, Øye G (2019) Amino-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles designed for adsorption of naphthenic acids. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.02.010
Sudharsan J, Agarwal M, Kudapa VK (2021) Nanotechnology for a green—proficient disposal of oilfield produced water. Mater Today Proc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.11.475
Sun S-N, Wei C, Zhu Z-Z et al (2014) Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: synthesis and surface coating techniques for biomedical applications. Chinese Phys B. https://doi.org/10.1088/1674-1056/23/3/037503
Tian Y, Zhou J, He C et al (2022) The formation, stabilization and separation of oil–water emulsions: a review. Processes. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040738
Vecchiarelli P, Lead JR (2022) Devices and methods for treatment of wastewater
Walsh JM (2018). In: Walsh JM (ed) Produced water volume 2: equipment, process configuration, applications, 1st edn. Petro Water Technology
Walsh JM, Frankiewicz TC (2010) Treating produced water on deepwater platforms: develo** effective practices based upon lessons learned. SPE Ann Tech Conf Exhibit. https://doi.org/10.2118/134505-MS
Walter A, Garofalo A, Parat A et al (2015) Functionalization strategies and dendronization of iron oxide nanoparticles. Nanotechnol Rev. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2015-0014
Wang Q, Puerto MC, Warudkar S et al (2018) Recyclable amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for efficient demulsification of crude oil-in-water emulsions. Environ Sci Water Res Technol. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00188J
Wang B, Wei Y, Wang Q et al (2020) Superhydrophobic magnetic core–shell mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles with dendritic architecture for oil–water separation. Mater Chem Front. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0QM00246A
Wu W, He Q, Jiang C (2008) Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: synthesis and surface functionalization strategies. Nanoscale Res Lett. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11671-008-9174-9
Wu W, Jiang CZ, Roy VAL (2016) Designed synthesis and surface engineering strategies of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Nanoscale. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6nr07542h
Yakasai F, Jaafar MZ, Bandyopadhyay S et al (2022) Application of iron oxide nanoparticles in oil recovery—a critical review of the properties, formulation, recent advances and prospects. J Pet Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109438
Yang Y, Fang Z, Chen X et al (2017) An overview of pickering emulsions: solid-particle materials, classification, morphology, and applications. Front Pharmacol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00287
Yavuz CT, Mayo JT, Yu WW et al (2006) Low-field magnetic separation of monodisperse Fe3O4 nanocrystals. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1131475
Yean S, Cong L, Yavuz CT et al (2005) Effect of magnetite particle size on adsorption and desorption of arsenite and arsenate. J Mater Res. https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2005.0403
Younker JM, Walsh ME (2014) Impact of salinity on coagulation and dissolved air flotation treatment for oil and gas produced water. Water Qual Res J Canada. https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrjc.2013.118
Yousef R, Qiblawey H, El-Naas MH (2020) Adsorption as a process for produced water treatment: a review. Processes. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8121657
Zhang S, Lü T, Qi D et al (2017) Synthesis of quaternized chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles for oil-water separation. Mater Lett. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2016.12.092
Zheng J, Chen B, Thanyamanta W et al (2016) Offshore produced water management: a review of current practice and challenges in harsh/Arctic environments. Mar Pollut Bull. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.004
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES (Brazil) for financial support.
Funding
No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed equally to the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors have no competing interests to declare.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Candido, J.D.C., Weschenfelder, S.E. & Ferraz, H.C. A review on the synthesis and application of magnetic nanoadsorbents to the treatment of oilfield produced water. Braz. J. Chem. Eng. 41, 1–21 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-023-00331-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-023-00331-0