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Technology

Advanced treatment for produced water

EC-AOP technology breaks down hydrocarbons, captures suspended contaminants and prepares produced water for separation, polishing and the required final-water quality.

Three stages. One clean stream

The Lai Pulo Integrated Treatment System combines electro-catalytic oxidation, sludge separation and membrane polishing in a single modular, skid-mounted treatment train that scales to virtually any flow rate.

01
Primary Treatment

EC-AOP

Electro-catalytic treatment supports contaminant capture and oxidation before separation.

02
Solids Separation

Floc Tank / DAF

Material formed during treatment is separated from the water for downstream handling.

03
Final Treatment

Membrane Polishing

Membrane treatment is selected where additional reduction of dissolved material is required.

Treatment Process

How the treatment process works

Our treatment train cleans produced water in three stages, each with a clear job, so that every stage protects the one after it.

First, the EC-AOP reactor. Raw produced water flows between aluminium electrodes under a DC current. The aluminium dissolves into the water and forms a coagulant right there in the tank — so we add no chemicals to make it. At the same time, the system generates hydroxyl radicals, a powerful oxidant that breaks down oils and dissolved organics in the stream.

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As this happens, the broken-down contaminants stick to the aluminium hydroxide and clump together into flocs. We then add a small amount of polymer — not to treat the water, but simply to bind those fragile flocs into larger, stronger clumps.

Next, the DAF. This is purely physical separation. We take a slip-stream of already-clean water, saturate it with air under pressure, and inject it back into the tank. As the pressure drops, the air comes out as a cloud of microbubbles that latch onto the contaminant-laden flocs and float them to the surface — where a skimmer lifts them off as sludge.

A screw press attached to the DAF then dewaters that sludge, reducing its volume for disposal. Clean water is drawn from underneath.

Finally, reverse osmosis — the polishing step. By now the solids are gone, but the water is still salty. So we push it through membranes that block the dissolved salts and any last traces of contamination. What comes out is low-salinity water that meets our discharge standard.

Three stages: break it down, float it out, polish it clean.

Designed for highly loaded, difficult-to-treat wastewater

The Electro-Catalytic Advanced Oxidation Process reduces organic and chemical contaminants while preparing treated water for separation, polishing and the required final-water quality.

Lai Pulo EC-AOP produced water treatment system
01

Advanced Oxidation

Powerful oxidisers break down hydrocarbons and residual organic compounds.

02

Contaminant Capture

Suspended solids, metals and other contaminants are captured for downstream separation.

03

Integrated Treatment

EC-AOP operates with separation and polishing stages to achieve the required water quality.

View Treatment Process

Electrocoagulation and electro-oxidation in a single treatment process

The EC-AOP reactor combines contaminant capture with advanced oxidation to treat suspended, dissolved and organic pollutants.

EC-AOP electrocoagulation and electro-oxidation process
Electro-Catalytic Advanced Oxidation Process
01
Contaminant Capture

Electrocoagulation

Sacrificial anodes generate in-situ coagulants that bind with silica, heavy metals and suspended solids, forming separable flocs.

  • Suspended solids
  • Heavy metals
  • Silica and turbidity
02
Advanced Oxidation

Electro-Oxidation

Hydroxyl radicals and ozone are generated within the reactor to break down hydrocarbons, dissolved organic contaminants and pathogens.

  • Hydrocarbons
  • Dissolved organics
  • Bacteria and pathogens
Process Outcome

Captured contaminants proceed to separation, while oxidised water advances to final treatment and polishing.

View Treatment Process

A three-stage system for produced water treatment

Primary treatment, solids separation and final polishing operate as one integrated treatment train.

01 Primary Treatment

EC-AOP

Breaks down hydrocarbons and organics while capturing suspended solids and metals.

02 Sludge Separation

Floc Tank / DAF

Aggregates and separates flocculated solids following EC-AOP treatment.

03 Final Polishing

Reverse Osmosis

Removes dissolved salts and residual contaminants to meet final-water quality targets.

Custom-designed skid-mounted EC-AOP treatment system
Custom-Designed Modular EC-AOP System

Compact, modular and built for operating conditions

Lai Pulo EC-AOP systems are configured to match project flow rates, fluid chemistry and available site space.

01

Chemical-Free Operation

No reagent dosing or chemical sludge.

02

Modular and Mobile

Skid-mounted systems designed for constrained sites.

03

Automated Operation

Minimal manpower and service requirements.

04

Custom Configuration

Designed for specific flow rates and fluid chemistry.

A modular system configured for each project

Equipment selection and arrangement are matched to flow rate, fluid chemistry, treatment targets and available site space.

Typical Lai Pulo EC-AOP system configuration
Typical skid-mounted treatment configuration
01

EC-AOP Reactor

Primary electrochemical treatment for hydrocarbons, organics, metals and suspended contaminants.

02

Ozone Generation

Ozone is generated on-site and introduced directly into the advanced oxidation process.

03

Floc Separation

Floc Tank, DAF or Lamella clarification separates solids formed during primary treatment.

04

Membrane Polishing

Reverse Osmosis removes dissolved salts and residual contaminants where final polishing is required.

System Flexibility Stand-alone or integrated with existing treatment and filtration equipment.

From produced water to the required final-water quality

Each treatment stage performs a defined role within the complete produced water treatment train.

01
Influent

Produced Water

Untreated water enters the treatment system.

02
Primary Treatment

EC-AOP

Hydrocarbons, organics and pathogens are broken down.

03
Separation

Floc Tank / DAF

Flocculated solids and residual contaminants are removed.

04
Final Polishing

Reverse Osmosis

Dissolved salts and remaining contaminants are reduced.

05
Treated Water

Final Water Quality

Final water quality is matched to the required project target.

Process Control Monitoring, sampling and testing at defined treatment stages.
Explore the Full Treatment Process

Field-tested under real operating conditions

The Nigeria pilot combined treatment operation, field monitoring, sample collection and independent laboratory analysis.

Produced water before and after EC-AOP treatment
Produced water before and after treatment
95–100% Oil and Grease Removal
95–100% Suspended Solids and COD Removal
92–97.5% Heavy Metals Removal
95–100% TDS Removal
Field Measurements
  • pH
  • Temperature
  • Conductivity
  • TDS
  • Turbidity
  • Salinity
  • Oil-in-Water
View Case Study

Explore the treatment system in context

Follow the complete treatment process and review field validation through the case study.

Discuss a Project

Evaluate your produced water treatment requirements

Contact Our Engineering Team