EIA ECOVAP Tech.
“The ECOVAP system is concluded to be an environmentally sound technology for accelerated removal of wastewater across a significantly reduced land area.”
Dr. John Pichtel, Professor at Ball State University in Muncie, IN
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
| Elemental Factors | Injection Disposal | Evaporation Pond | Evaporation Pond w/ Atomizing Sprayer | ECOVAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake Risk | High | None | None | None |
| Transport Energy Consumption (Air Pollution to Disposal Location) | Moderate-to-High | Usually lower than injection disposal | Usually lower than injection disposal | Low: ECOVAP can be located on site |
| Land Use Footprint | Low | High | Moderate | Less than 5% of conventional pond |
| Enerqy Consumption at Disposal Location | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Less than 10% of SWD/enhanced evaporation |
| Water Supply Diminishment | High – Water permanently buried very deep | Very low – clean water returns to atmosphere | Very low – clean water returns to atmosphere | Very low – clean water returns to atmosphere |
| Potential for Aquifer Contamination | Medium – depending on location | Very low; safeguards in place | Very low; safeguards in place | Less than 5% of conventional (1/20th the number of sites or size) |
| Air Pollution | Negligible | Very low | High | Negligible |
| Residual Oil Capture | Low | High | High | High |
| Other “Water Mining” Captures (i.e., fertilizer, salts, lithium, waxes/parafins, etc.) | None | High | High | High |
Less Land Consumed/Disturbed:
- ECOVAP creates 30x reduction in evaporation land footprint
- Increases evaporation efficiency of existing ponds
Less Effluent Discharge:
- Reduces or eliminates drain-down volumes from ponds
- Increases capital efficiency of zero discharge programs
Less Risk Of Hazardous Waste Events/Reduced Wastewater Transport (Based on Differences in Salinity/TDS):
- Eliminates potential leaks from ponds or pipes
- Reduces groundwater mixing/pollution
- Reduces time to closure
Less Risk Of Hazardous Waste Events:
- Eliminates potential leaks from ponds or pipes
- Reduces groundwater mixing/pollution
- Reduces time to closure
Disposal Methods Contribute to Environmental Issues
Earthquake & Seismology
ECOVAP‘s biomimicry-based means of wastewater disposal avoids earthquake and seismology risks. Research indicates that wastewater injection (about 94% of produced water disposal) increases the risk of earthquakes, and the USGS has indicated that at least 11 states have experienced “human-induced” earthquakes from saltwater disposal wells. With its enhanced evaporation technology, ECOVAP reduces the volume of wastewater sent to these injection wells by up to 90%.
Oklahoma’s OilField Water Crisis
Evidence Connects Quakes to Oil, Natural Gas Boom
The Connection Between Earthquakes and Fracking
Aquifer Contamination
Various studies have also concluded that wastewater injection can contaminate ground water. As freshwater aquifers supply about one-third of water consumption, this is an increasing concern. Over the past several decades, various industries have injected trillions of gallons of toxic liquids into the earth. Injection wells frequently experience structural failures, and they inherently have cracks and seams that may link disposal cavities to fresh aquifers and the above-ground water supply. With ECOVAP’s accelerated evaporation process, wastewater is returned naturally to the atmosphere; the remaining contaminated brine, hydrocarbons and other toxic materials are disposed of properly; and many of the leftover minerals are harvested and reused.
Injection Wells: The Poison Beneath Us
Aquifer Exemptions
Potential Contaminant Pathways
Air Quality
ECOVAP does not use atomizing sprayers to release treated water into the atmosphere. In addition, our ability to locate near well-head sites allows us to greatly reduce the amount of CO2 and GHGs that are emitted by wastewater trucking.
