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Analysis of Frack WaterBy Kiersten Briggs and Schuyler Mincemoyer
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Objective
An organic analysis of the effects of hydraulic fracturing on well water through GC-MS and FT-IR.
After GC-MS and FT-IR results were found, we also proceeded to run an XRF analysis to determine the metal and alloy makeup of the frack water.
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What is Hydraulic Fracturing? Drilling technique widely utilized for
collecting Natural Gas
Energy from injecting highly-pressurized fracking fluid cracks rocks to release gas
Drilling occurs ~6,200 ft below the surface
Can produce fracturing at least 1,000-1,500 ft away from the initial pressurization point
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What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
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What is Frack Water?
Caused by Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas
Well water speculated to be contaminated by fracking fluid byproducts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8
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Suspected Contaminants
We are testing for 5 out of a possible 353 dangerous components of fracking fluid
(632 total components)
Xylene
Benzene
Ethylbenzene
Naphthalene
Toluene
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Procedure
Extract components from water using Separatory Funnel and Hexane
Also attempted using Methylene Chloride for extraction
Run organic layer through the GC-MS and FT-IR
Standard Samples were mixed with hexane and run through each instrument as a reference point
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Results
GC-MS and FT-IR showed no benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, xylene, or naphthalene present.
An XRF analysis showed that of the metals/alloys in the water, 60% was Sulfur. The other 40% was Silica.
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Conclusions
The benzene derivatives we tested for were not present. Probable causes:
Present in extremely low concentrations
Did not have a good water sample for testing
Gas samples may have left the sample before testing
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Conclusions
The XRF showed a surprising result with 60% sulfur contents within the Frack Water.
Sulfur is present in the shale they fracture during hydraulic fracturing
Sulfur and CO2 are a byproducts of processing natural gas
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For further studies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8
Shows the breaks in the water from the tap system where the fire lights. Leads to a question of a gas trapped in the pipes, rather than a contaminant of the water itself.
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Questions?