A method or process for treating wastewater containing high organics,
silica, boron, hardness, and suspended and dissolved solids. The method
includes degasifying the wastewater for the removal of dissolved gases
and thereafter chemically softening the wastewater. After the chemical
softening step, the wastewater is directed through a media filter or
membrane which removes additional solids and precipitants. Thereafter the
wastewater is directed through a sodium ion exchange that further softens
the wastewater. The effluent from the ion exchange is directed through a
cartridge filter and the effluent from the cartridge filter is directed
through one or more reverse osmosis units. At a selected phase of the
process, prior to the wastewater reaching the reverse osmosis unit or
units, the pH of the wastewater is raised and maintained such that the pH
of the wastewater reaching a reverse osmosis unit is at a pH greater than
10.5.