How to get rid of polymer from the waste water of oil well?

Question

To get oil from the crude oil, polymer has been used. what is the role of polymer and how to get rid of it from the waste water?

can polymer be used to treat water, i mean using polymer to get rid of other particles in the water. Or used monomer instead?

Answer 1

Polymers are used as a floccing agent which help small particle bond together into larger clumps. Small particles will not separate from water readily, forming larger clumps aids a settling process separating solids from the liquid.

Coalescing is similar except that small particles combine into larger ones which then float readily. Again this aids separation.

The best way to remove polymer is to have it bond with material and separate it out with the solids. If you have over dosed the water and do not have any more material left to bond with you can try carbon filtration.