by Duane Nichols on February 22, 2012
The term “clean energy” is used in policy-making circles, at all levels of government. President Obama has proposed a goal of producing 80 percent of U.S. electricity from “clean energy” sources by 2035. However, different definitions of clean, differing metrics, and differing goals, among other reasons, makes this a complex issue. And, different and divergent paths of progress toward clean energy have been proposed by industry and in academic studies.
Two briefings are described here. The first explores some of the dimensions of “clean” electricity generation, examining the trade-offs involved and how different clean energy solutions impact land and water use and other aspects of environment concern. The second briefing highlights perspectives on innovation in clean energy.
The U. S. News & World Reports has prepared some useful commentary on Clean or Green Energy from the perspective of projects that can or should be supported by U.S. cities and/or the federal government.
[Read the U.S. News debate: Should the Government Invest in Green Energy? ]
Check out the U.S. News energy blog.
See a slide show of 10 Clean Energy green jobs winners.
See a slide show of 10 cities adopting Smart Grid technology.
by Duane Nichols on February 21, 2012
“JustBeneaththeSurfaceWV.com” is a web-site of the natural gas industry which has posted a slide presentation entitled Water Management and Marcellus Gas Development, by Paul Ziemkiewicz, PhD, Director, West Virginia Water Research Institute. This covers the topics of water management including withdrawals, the management of returned frac water, produced water, disposal options and the effects on streams.
It is reported that the amount of Frac return water is ~10 to 20% of the amount injected. After 7 -10 days flow back is greatly reduced and is considered produced water. Flow-back rates during first 7 –14 days may average 3,000 -5,000 barrels/day, declining rapidly to a few 100 bbl/day. Further decline is gradual, 10 to 20 b/day, after a few months.
The total dissolved solids level in frac water is usually under 120,000 parts per million. This sometimes contains acrylamide copolymer, also known as polyacrylamide which has been reported to contain small concentrations of acrylamide (which is toxic). Sulfate is normally added to precipitate insoluble BaSO4 and SrSO4. Radium salts can also be rendered insoluble as radium sulfate.
CONCLUSIONS Regarding Returned Frac Fluid:
Chemistry: Generally neutral to alkaline; Primarily sodium, calcium, chloride (about 95% of TDS); Magnesium, strontium and barium in lesser amounts; Volatile/non-volatile organic compounds in varying concentrations
Environmental/health and safety: Primary environmental issue: salinity; Primary human health issue: organics; ‘You don’t want to drink fracing fluid’
Management: Water managers must keep it out of streams and drinking water supplies; Treatment-STPs, Evaporation, deep well injection; Recycling
