Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar-Powered Membrane Distillation for Produced Water Treatment in Oil Fields

Abstract

Produced water generated during oil and gas extraction contains high concentrations of dissolved salts, hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and chemical contaminants that require effective treatment before disposal or reuse. This study presents a techno-economic analysis of a solar-powered membrane distillation system for produced water treatment in oil field applications. The proposed treatment framework integrates renewable solar thermal energy with membrane distillation technology to achieve energy-efficient desalination and contaminant removal under varying operational and environmental conditions. A comprehensive experimental and simulation-based investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of solar irradiation intensity, feedwater salinity, membrane characteristics, operating temperature, flow rate, and energy storage configuration on treatment performance and economic feasibility. The membrane distillation process utilizes thermal gradients to separate water vapor from highly contaminated produced water streams while minimizing membrane fouling and energy consumption. Performance evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in water recovery efficiency, salt rejection performance, and treated water quality suitable for industrial reuse and environmental discharge compliance. The integration of solar energy substantially reduced operational energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional thermal desalination systems powered by fossil fuels. Comparative techno-economic analysis indicated improved lifecycle cost performance, reduced energy expenditure, and enhanced sustainability potential under optimized operating conditions. Furthermore, the decentralized and modular system design supported flexible deployment in remote oil field environments with limited access to centralized treatment infrastructure.