Coulter Count vs Silt Density Index

Dear All

I am exploring about the seawater pretreatment requirements of injection water for water flooding operations.  I came across the Coulter Count quality parameter. A thought came to mind, while comparing the seawater pretreatment requirements of desalination plants for drinking purposes, people in this industry use SDI 15 as a governing quality parameter.

Can I have your views on the differences of the coulter count and SDI value? Should we even try to compare those?

Your thoughts please!

Thank You

Best Regards

Anvar Mansuri

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3 Answers

1. There have been many developments to the original Coulter Counter that may be amenable to such an application (ref. Ceramics, food production).  As yet none is commercially represented as an option.  I do see a potential problem in plugging or other inconsistencies when applied to an external inlet stream of varying composition instead of the relatively homogeneous (or at least, predictable) composition of the samples used for analytes in the medicinal and lab applications.

2. My thoughts are as follows:

   The Coulter counter looks at particle size which is important in designing your system. 

   The Silt Density Index is a measurement peculiar to RO membrane manufacturers.  It is hard to replicate, but gives an indication of how fast the filter clogs per unit of time.   The membrane guarantees have a clause related to this parameter - hence the reason for it being measured.  If the seawater is being reinjected, the particle size is important as well as the concentration of particle (probably more important), you will want to remove particles that may cake up your well casing/screens.  

3. Dear Anvar Mansuri

   I don't know about your injection water ​for waterflooding ​operations.​ Water flooding certainly needs the pressure to flooding the water

   and also the hole size of the flooding ends. when you are using the seawater which may have TDS between 30,000 to 50,000 mg/l

   This means the seawater has the tendency to make the scaling and have to use anti-scaling and also keep your pH between 7 to 8

   This could be the chemical treatment. Regarding the filtration, if it is recommended by the manufacturer about SDI 15 which is quite high, Normally when we are using RO we only need max. 3 SDI, You can use the bag filtration as well as cartridge filter with maximum of 2 Micron filter cartridge. Try it and let me know the result.

   Also, tell me in detail the problem you are having right now?