"EVAPORATION TRUTH #1: System performance mirrors the natural evaporation rates of the location.
Annual evaporation is measured at hundreds of locations throughout the United States. The results of these measurements have been tracked for decades, and most of them can be found on-line for any given region. System performance is subject to all the same factors as the pan evaporation rate (i.e. precipitation, water quality, temperature, humidity, elevation, etc…); therefore, its performance will run parallel to the ‘pan rate’ for the location being worked.
EVAPORATION TRUTH #2: You can evaporate cost-effectively at higher elevations.
We have proven this on countless occasions. Our competitors often use elevation as an excuse for lack of performance, but in truth, inefficiency is the result of a substandard system (see below). Unfortunately, environmental factors have an even greater influence on systems that are not adequately designed because their performance is already limited. Bottom line, if you start with substandard equipment, you’ll achieve substandard results. If you use quality components, designs, and operational parameters from the start, you can achieve very effective results. EvapoRite’s patented design has proven itself in all these areas. Water Remediation is currently the only provider using our patented technology.
EVAPORATION TRUTH #3: Evaporation rates for most centrifugal pump-based systems will NOT exceed 2% (and that’s being generous) of the total volume atomized daily.
EvapoRite’s patent is based on a centrifugal pump. We have measured its daily performance in all types of environments and operating conditions throughout Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico over the past four years. In the best conditions, with optimal setups, our systems were able to evaporate 2.8 to 3.4% of the total volume of water atomized (misted).
Keep in mind that our systems were engineered for optimal atomization rates. The competitors that we have observed AND MEASURED in the field over the past four years are not capable of achieving this level of performance. They use the wrong kind of pump, their nozzles are ineffective, their setup degrades an already substandard system, or their daily operations are not maximized for efficiency (that is, they operate during periods they should be shut down). Typically, the best evaporation rates these systems can hope to achieve is 1.2 to 1.8% of the total volume of water atomized. There may be exceptions, but we have yet to run across them in the field.
EVAPORATION TRUTH #4: Most competing evaporations systems eliminate between 85 and 110 barrels per day in the summer months, 60 to 70 bbl/day in the late spring and early fall, and less than 50 bbl/day in other months.
Don’t forget, evaporation performance is directly tied to environmental factors (see TRUTH #1 above), but this is not the only factor influencing daily elimination rates. Two other critical factors are: 1) pond dimensions; and 2) system design.
Pond Dimensions: Since all evaporation must occur over the pond’s surface to prevent overspray and ensure environmental containment, the surface area of the pond becomes a critical consideration in performance. You can evaporate more water on a multi-acre pond than you can evaporate on a small reserve pit. This is because there is a greater volume of airspace to work with above the pond’s surface on the multi-acre pond. Similar considerations must be given to the comparison of reserve pit sizes. You can operate far more aggressively, and in greater volumes, on a large reserve pit than you can a smaller one.
System Design: Evaporation services have a habit of cobbling together mismatched components to create a system they believe will work. They seem to think that if the system looks right it will be effective. There is no comprehension of the evaporation process and/or the engineering required to achieve optimal performance.
EvapoRite Corollary to Truth #4: By using optimally engineered equipment, EvapoRite/Water Remediation consistently exceed the evaporation rates of competitors. During peak summer months we have documented average evaporation rates of 170 to 220 bbl/day.
In order to be efficient, pumps must meet minimum performance criteria, the nozzles must be specifically designed for the pressures provided, the system must provide equal pressure to every nozzle, and the system must be rigged-up on location to maximize the performance of all components. That said, even in the best setup, if you start with substandard components, you end up with substandard (and higher cost) results.
EVAPORATION TRUTH #5: Day rates mask true “per barrel” cost of elimination, which can range $5.00 per barrel in the summer to $12.00 per barrel (or higher) in early spring and late fall. This also assumes they work every day and there are no standby charges.
Many of the oil and gas producers prefer ‘day rates’ because they are easy to budget; however, day rates tend to cover up the true cost of elimination, particularly in the colder months. Typically, services are able to get away with a day rate because they claim exaggerated performance of 300 barrels per day, or even higher.
Let’s say a service is charging $500 per day. If they were hitting their claims, this would equate to $1.66 per barrel eliminated. Unfortunately, we have never measured competitor performance (for all the reasons stated above in previous ‘Evaporation Truths’) that came close to these levels. If you assume an average level of elimination, then summer performance would be around 100 barrels per day, or about $5.00 per barrel in the summer. Average spring performance of about 70 barrels per day would place the cost above $7.00 per barrel. Winter rates are far higher.
The per-barrel rates really get ugly when the actual number of days of operation is considered. For instance, you can usually count on about 26 good operating days in July due to precipitation, high winds, and overspray abatement issues. Let us assume the vendor is charging the same $500 per day for operating days, and $250 per day for standby fees. Again, if they hit their averages of about 100 barrels per day, then factor in standby time for the month, the cost jumps from $5.00 per barrel to $5.48 per barrel. The numbers are far worse for spring where the number of operating days each month can drop to 22 or less.
Compressed Air Systems: Disguising Poor Performance (03.17.2010)
Compressed air evaporation systems – you have to burn a lot of diesel to look this impressive. Unfortunately, the evaporation numbers don’t add up. Get the Facts and learn why Water Remediation scrapped the idea years ago. (Quick hint: air nozzles are not designed for volume).
Trash Pumps: The High Cost of Low Pressure Designs (03.03.2010)
Trash pumps – the cheapest route to poor results. Efficient evaporation takes a lot of pressure, and trash pumps don’t deliver pressure. They are engineer for volume and debris handling. Get the Facts and learn why the wrong pump increases your ‘per barrel’ cost.
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