Treating Hydraulic Fracturing Flowback Waters | AIChE

Treating Hydraulic Fracturing Flowback Waters: Potential New Membrane Applications

This presentation reviews membrane separation processes that could be used to treat hydraulic fracturing flowback waters. The advantages and limitations of these processes are highlighted. Data from commercial treatment facilities is also presented.

Membrane based separation processes are attractive for a number of reasons:  they are often less costly to operate, scale up is frequently easier and they are environmentally benign. Membrane based separations are often ideally suited for niche applications. However membrane fouling frequently compromises their economic viability especially in water treatment applications.

This presentation focuses on the challenges of treating large volumes of high salinity hydraulic fracturing flowback and co-produced water, collectively referred to as ‘produced water.’ Membrane based separation processes may find a niche applications for the treatment of these high salinity produced waters. The viability of conventional membrane based separation processes such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration may be limited due to membrane fouling and the very high pressures required to treat very high TDs produced waters. However recent advances in membrane distillation and forward osmosis suggest that these newer processes could be well suited to treat high salinity waste waters.

ISWS members may attend for free with a Promo Code.  To receive a Promo Code, please contact Evan Flach at evanf@aiche.org.

About ISWS

The International Society for Water Solutions (ISWS) provides a forum for communication and networking among engineers and scientists who share interests in water research and water technology development. Membership in ISWS is open to academic, industrial, and government professionals who share an interest in water research and water technology development. For more information and to become a member go to http://www.aiche.org/ifs/community/isws/membership


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  • Source:
    IfS - Institute for Sustainability
  • Language:
    English
  • Skill Level:
    Advanced
  • Duration:
    1 hour
  • PDHs:
    1.00