Produced water
Recover crude and clean water from oilfield effluent.
- Onshore fields
- Effluent pits
- Water reinjection
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP / 07
Developed withInstitute of Chemical Technology, MumbaiIndia's chemical technology institute since 1933
Validated in trialsDelivered by Rispri Labs
Oily wastewater treatment.
Over 98% separation.
Rispri Labs delivers graphene-based oil–water separation, developed with ICT Mumbai: water-repellent sponges that soak up oil many times their weight and membranes that separate oil and water at high flux, cycle after cycle.
RESEARCH TO REALITYRispri Labs × ICT Mumbai
ICT Mumbai
What it means for you
Oil out of water, 98% of it.
98 of 100
parts of oil separated from water by the membrane.
50×
its own weight in oil soaked up by the sponge.
10 cycles
and the membrane still works at 96% efficiency.
Performance
Oil out. Water back.
Emulsified and free oil fouls membranes, upsets biological plants and keeps oil and grease above discharge limits. Graphene materials pull the oil out selectively and can be reused.
- 98%+
- Oil–water separation through the membrane
- 25–50g/g
- Oil absorbed per gram of sponge
- 625L/m²·h
- Membrane flux
- 96%
- Efficiency kept after 10 cycles
Figures are from the research team's controlled trials. Performance on your stream is confirmed in our laboratory before design.
Challenge and response
The problems this solves.
- 01The challenge
Oil and grease stay above discharge limits after gravity separation.
How we solve itGraphene membranes separate oil and water at over 98% efficiency.
- 02The challenge
Oil fouls downstream membranes and biological units.
How we solve itRemove oil upstream to protect the rest of the plant.
- 03The challenge
Absorbent pads are used once and become hazardous waste.
How we solve itSponges are squeezed out and reused, and the oil is recovered.
- 04The challenge
Hot streams damage polymer absorbents.
How we solve itSponges stay stable up to 400 °C.
How it works
The process, step by step.
- 1
Contact
Oily water passes through a graphene sponge or membrane.
- 2
Repel
The water-repellent surface rejects water and takes up oil.
- 3
Separate
The membrane passes clean water at high flux and holds back oil.
- 4
Recover
Sponges are squeezed out and reused; the oil is recovered.
Use cases
Where oily wastewater treatment and oil–water separation delivers.
Refinery and depot effluent
Polish oil and grease before discharge.
- Refineries
- Fuel depots
- Tank cleaning water
Spent coolants and wash water
Separate tramp oil from machining streams.
- Machine shops
- Auto components
- Metal forming
Workshops and service stations
Treat oily wash water on site.
- Bus depots
- Vehicle service centres
- Railway yards
Oil spill response
Soak up spills on water and land.
- Ports and jetties
- Industrial spills
- Storm-water drains
Power and compressor condensate
Remove oil from condensate before reuse.
- Compressor condensate
- DG set areas
- Turbine halls
Comparison
How it compares.
| Factor | Oil skimmers and single-use pads | Rispri solution |
|---|---|---|
| Separation | Free oil only; emulsions pass | Over 98% oil–water separation |
| Absorbent capacity | Low, single use | 25–50 g of oil per g; reusable |
| Durability | Degrades with heat and solvents | Stable to 400 °C; 96% after 10 cycles |
| Oil recovery | Pads disposed as hazardous waste | Oil squeezed out and recovered |
| Throughput | Slow settling | 625 L/m²·h membrane flux |
Standards and regulations
Designed around the rules that apply to you.
We design each system to meet your consent conditions and the regulations for your sector, and our laboratory reports against them.
- Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986Oil and grease limits for discharge.
- Petroleum refinery standardsSector-specific effluent norms under the EP Rules.
- Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016Handling of used oil and oily waste.
- State consent conditionsUnit-specific limits for oily effluent.
Industries served
Built for the sectors that need it most.
- Oil and gas
- Refineries and depots
- Spent coolant management
- Automotive and engineering
- Ports and logistics
- Waste management
Why Rispri
Institute science. Industrial delivery.
Institute-developed technology
Built on patented and peer-reviewed research from our partnership with ICT Mumbai.
Tested on your stream
Our accredited laboratory characterises your water or waste before design and verifies results after.
Engineering since 1999
The team that builds ETPs, STPs and ZLD plants across India takes each solution from pilot to full scale.
One accountable partner
Design, supply, installation, commissioning, operation and testing under one contract.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How much oil can the sponge absorb?
Between 25 and 50 grams of oil per gram of sponge, and it keeps its capacity over 10 cycles.
Does the membrane handle emulsions?
The graphene–clay membrane separated oil and water at over 98% efficiency with a flux of 625 L/m²·h, keeping 96% efficiency after 10 cycles. We test your emulsion in our laboratory first.
Can the oil be recovered?
Yes. The sponge is squeezed or treated to release the oil, which can be reused or sold.
Can it handle hot streams?
The sponge stays stable up to 400 °C.
How ready is the technology?
It has been validated in controlled trials. We take it to your site through a pilot on your own effluent.
Research partnerships
More solutions from our partnerships.
THE NEXT STEP
Prove it on
your own stream.
Send us a sample or tell us about your site. We will test it, recommend a configuration and set up a pilot.
Request a pilot