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EPA Releases New Fracking Chemical Database | Chem Service Certified Reference Standards | Greyhound Chromtography

Fracking Chemical Database

Man with a Fracking operation

 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released a report of more than 700 chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing or fracking. These processes use water along with chemicals to create cracks in the ground that release oil and gas that wouldn't easily be accessible to drillers through traditional means.

The website has more than two years of data including specific chemicals used in the practice. It is called the FracFocus Chemical Disclosure Registry 1.0 and is provided by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

Shedding light on industry practices

Although nearly 700 chemicals were listed in the fracking process, they only make up about 1 percent of the solution, according to the report. About 88 percent is normal water, 10 percent quartz and the rest are chemicals. The report used information it gathered from a number of people in various states across the U.S. Although about 700 chemicals are listed, the median number of added chemicals was about 14 per fracking fluid.

The most commonly used chemicals in a fracking solution were hydrochloric acid, methanol, and hydrotreated light petroleum distillates. However, a small number of other chemicals used in the process were not released because of business protection exemption.

Companies have previously volunteered some of their chemical information in databases like FracFocus, such as Baker Hughes. This new information is much more comprehensive however and provides a better picture of the process and industry as a whole rather than a single firm.

The important role of chemicals in fracking

While there are so many chemicals used in fracking fluid, they all have different roles, FracFocus explained. Among the most common chemicals, like the three found in 65 percent of all drilling solutions – hydrochloric acid, methanol, and hydrotreated light petroleum distillates – each can have a different job.

Hydrochloric acid, HCl, actually eats away at the minerals in the ground that are keeping the oil or gas there. This helps start the fissuring process that eventually leads to fuel extraction.

On the other hand, methanol, CH3OH, also know as wood alcohol, helps stabilize the fracking fluid. It also serves to winterize it, allowing for cold weather drilling. Ethylene glycol is used for similar functions. Both are used for several aspects of the fluid including friction reduction, gelling and crosslinking.

Hydrotreated light petroleum distillates and other petroleum distillates are used as carrier fluids for other chemicals in the fracking fluid. Made from oil itself, these substances are commonly used in a number of pesticides as well as consumer goods like paint, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The reason there are so many types of chemicals used in fracking fluid is for the number of purposes needed. Chemicals such as lauryl sulfate, ethanol, naphthalene and isopropyl alcohol are all used in the surfactants. Acetic acid, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium hydroxide can be pH adjusters, FracFocus explained.

Chemicals are also used to control iron, prevent emulsification, inhibit corrosion, stabilize clay in the soil, kill bacteria, reduce friction and help breakdown the earth it's injected into.

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About the Author

Susan MAssie, Marketing Director Greyhound Chromatography Image

Susan Massie, Sales & Marketing Director, Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals Email: sue@greyhoundchrom.com

Susan Massie is the Sales & Marketing Director for Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals, affectionately known as 'Greyhound' in our scientific community. Greyhound was founded by Susan's husband Paul Massie more than 40 years ago, Susan hasn't been in the business for all of that time but has been involved with Greyhound for over 17 years. Greyhound continues to grow, expanding into new markets and taking on the challenges of our ever changing environment. It's heartwarming to witness the world waking up to the fact that we are damaging our planet on a daily basis. Every action we take has a direct effect on our planet and the world we leave behind for future generations. Susan is passionate about climate change and is happy to work in an industry that can have a direct effect on reducing the impact of our actions on the environment. All of the team at Greyhound take our responsibilities very seriously, the products that we supply are used by the world's leading scientists and chemists as they endeavour to monitor and repair the environment. All is not lost, if we all take responsibility for our actions, from reducing our waste and reusing or recycling our material collateral we can make a difference. The internet is full of useful advice and guidance, Susan is proud to contribute to that wealth of knowledge whenever she can.

Greyhound prides itself on personal service which provides prompt, efficient, cost-effective, safe delivery of all products. Greyhound provides technical advice and distribution of Certified Reference Standards and Materials, Laboratory Consumables, Solvents and Reagents across all scientific disciplines. Greyhound Chromatography offers over 1 Million products from its UK warehouse. The team at Greyhound are proud to support the work of the world's leading scientists and chemists as they challenge the abuse of our planet and try to make a difference to the world we leave behind for our ancestors.

You can view Susan's Linked In Profile here https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-massie-79ab4121/