Effect of fine bubbles for washing of monolith type porous ceramic membranes treating oil-in-water emulsions.

Produced water generated in the recovery of crude oil contains oil and high concentrations of salts, organic matter, and suspended solids and must therefore be treated appropriately prior to disposal. Monolithic ceramic membranes have high oil removal rates and have the advantage of being compact, having a long life, and withstanding chemicals, heat, and high cleaning pressures. Membrane fouling, however, is a significant drawback to membrane filtration.