The ARROiW - Advanced Recording for Reduction of Oil in Water

A new fluorescence-based sensing technology, the ARROiW (Advanced Recording for Reduction of Oil in Water), has been under development for the past five years at DTU Offshore. It is connected directly to advanced control algorithm developments for the control of produced water treatment process units in the O&G industry. After a thorough gap analysis of the state-of-the-art of sensing solutions, our ultimate goal has been to develop the most effective monitoring/control solution to reduce the environmental impact of produced water discharges.

The ARROiW is composed of a portable optical unit and an innovative sensor head. The first one contains a robust light source and two ultrasensitive detectors that measure the fluorescence at two different angles, simultaneously and continuously, providing information on both dispersed and dissolved oil. The sensor head features a flow-through design to minimize fouling formation on the optical window and can be easily disassembled into its four components for mechanical cleaning when needed. The measured signal consists of 3D fluorescence landscapes instantly processed by advanced data analysis methods optimized and pre-calibrated for crude oils. The sensor operates with software that integrates an operational controller, real-time concentration monitoring, system health checks, and a reporting tool. It also indicates when recalibration is necessary.

The prototype has been thoroughly tested in a pilot plant with a flow-loop setup, and soon it will proceed to commercial tests in connection with agreements established with O&G companies in different countries, such as Ecopetrol (Colombia), Petrobras (Brazil), Equinor (Norway), and Total Energies (Denmark), for real-condition testing. The system is based on advanced monitoring technology and, therefore, is also applicable in wastewater industries, e.g., industrial and municipal sewage treatment plants.