Abstract: he issue of oil-water separation in the treatment of produced water by ternary composite flooding (ASP-PW) has emerged as a technical bottleneck in the widespread adoption of ternary composite flooding technology. This paper introduces a method that utilizes ultrasonic-enhanced polymeric aluminum chloride (PAC) for the synergistic treatment of ASP-PW, significantly improving the efficiency of oil-water separation. Experimental findings reveal that, at an ultrasound frequency of 40 kHz and a duration of 60 min, the particle size of emulsified oil droplets increased from 349 nm to 3639 nm, indicating the consolidating effect of ultrasound on emulsified oil droplets. When ultrasonic and PAC are employed in tandem to process ASP-PW, with ultrasound duration at 60 min, dosage at 850 mg?L^?1, and a settling time of 30 min in a 40°C water bath, the oil removal rate reached 95.82%. This rate surpasses the individual oil removal rates of ultrasound alone (86.12%) and PAC (90.87%) under the same conditions, demonstrating a significant synergistic effect. The experiment’s practical content is a crucial manifestation of science and education integration. Following the principles of green and sustainable development, the experimental process enhances students’ ability for independent exploration. This experiment, spanning from problem investigation and program design to result acquisition, underscores the pivotal role of teamwork. Additionally, it opens up new possibilities for the processing of ASP-PW.

Key words: ASP flooding, Oil-water separation, Ultrasonic, Experimental teaching