Biofilm Remediation of Hydraulic Fracturing Flowback Water in the Marcellus Shale

Frac fluids are viscous solutions that are pumped under high pressure to fracture subsurface formations for recovery of natural gas. As it is pumped to the surface, the flowback water picks up large quantities of various contaminants that make it difficult to dispose or recycle. Though this water contains hazardous substances such as heavy metals (i.e. copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium), arsenic, selenium, and numerous organic compounds, it is often improperly disposed to local streams without little or no treatment. Frac Biologics preliminary experiments using Biofilm Technology to treat frac flowback water have shown that removal of heavy metals is feasible. The objective of the Phase I research is to isolate natural halophilic biofilm organisms that will cost effectively remove heavy metals, arsenic, selenium, and organic compounds. During Phase II, biofilm columns will be built to process frac flowback water and prove the effectiveness of the technology. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Frac Biologics, Inc. was formed in 2009 to commercialize Biofilm Technology, specifically the remediation of contaminated water, such as acid mine drainage and frac flowback water. After biofilm columns are shown to effectively treat frac flowback water in Phase II research, the technology will be commercialized by scaling up to large-scale biofilm systems that can treat contaminated water on site