Analysis of Frack Water

Analysis of Frack WaterBy Kiersten Briggs and Schuyler Mincemoyer

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.

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

What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Questions?