Why the cresol come from the sour water

Question

Dear all,
1.The stripping sour water is clean, low salt and low organic material, that  is good to reuse.
2. While we analysis the impurities of stripping sour water, we find some cresol in the water, and the cresol will cause the unpleasant flair.
3.Could you kindly to tell me, why the cresol come from the sour water, any literature or data , thanks.

Waymon Hofheins · Answer

I have dealt with shallow oil wells in the central USA.  Many of these wells are about 50 foot deep and produce water with about 5% oil, creosol, asphalt type petro. products.  The low salt statement is a surprise when water and oil are harvested together.  Most of the wells I have dealt with capture the oil products with a tall vertical round tube called a "shotgun" that allows the oil products to separate over time.  The water is then injected back into the wells system to help keep the oil flowing to the surface.   Picture a square with the four corners allowing the water to be injected downhole.  In the center of the square there is a fifth well that brings the water/oil mixture back to the surface.  Now expand the field with side by side squares that expands for a long producing field.
Definitions are needed for understanding:
Clean water, Low salt, low organic. and sour water.  Flair: you mean you are burning it with a flame?  Are we dealing with methane?  Dissolved methane can be a problem with potable water wells.  
An aside funny:  TheUSA  EPA book on the "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater"  (available from the AWWA - American Water Works Association) discussed a problem with low level of methane in drinking water when a man turned on an enclosed shower with the hot water on and stepped in with a lit cigarette in his mouth.  She shower blew up and tore down the shower walls.  (I read at least 10 years ago and I don't remember which edition of the text it was in.  I do have it on the shelf  somewhere, but we have to buy a new edition every couple of years - not cheap.
 Do you have a gas well?  With sour water, how do you define sour?  It sounds like you are bringing a water well to the surface and aerating it to remove sulfur or sulfur dioxide/
I would also recommend the book "Introduction to Oilfield Water Technology by A.G. DSTROFF, an official NACE  Publication (National Association of Corrosion Engineers:  Houston, Texas)

Paul Comet · Answer

If your stripping water is alkaline it will strip out creosols & phenols. What are you stripping?

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