As the popularity of the hydraulic fracturing process rises, the need for quality frac ponds is rising as well. Frac ponds are used to house used water until it can be treated and reused in the hydraulic fracturing process.
If you want to improve the quality and performance of your frac pond in the future, consider adding an aeration element to the pond's design.
1. Reduce Odors
An open frac pond can begin to emit an unpleasant odor after a certain amount of time. Since most fracking occurs in warm regions, the foul odor of a frac pond can be amplified as temperatures rise. Aeration offers a viable solution when it comes to managing the smell of your frac pond.
The addition of dissolved oxygen to your frac pond can help oxygenate the bacteria living in the pond. These bacteria feast on sulfides found within the frac water. Effective breakdown of the sulfides can help reduce, or even eliminate, the hydrogen sulfide odors that are emitted from your frac pond each day.
2. Stabilize Pond pH Levels
Hydraulic fracturing can only be successful if fluids with a stable pH are utilized during the drilling process. Once the fluids have been used and deposited into the frac pond, they contain chemicals and trace elements that can elevate or lower pH levels.
Aeration helps to stabilize the pH level within the pond so that the water can be reused in future hydraulic fracturing applications.
3. Prevent Sludge Buildup
Sludge in your frac pond can reduce storage space over time. The easiest way to prevent the formation of sludge is by aerating the pond regularly.
The aeration process causes coarse bubbles to be released at the bottom of the tube used during aeration. These bubbles create an upward draft as they rise to the surface. The draft pulls solids and liquefied organic materials up to the surface as it travels, helping to keep the water in your frac pond churning.
Aeration circulates the entire water column and helps to keep solid materials suspended so that they don't settle and create sludge within your frac pond.
The addition of aeration to your frac pond can easily improve your ability to treat wastewater on-site. Use aeration techniques to help you manage or eliminate odors, stabilize the pH of spent hydraulic fracturing fluids, and eliminate sludge buildup that might compromise the efficiency of your frac pond over time.
To learn more about frac aeration, contact a company in your area like VaraCorp.
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