Evaluating the Leachability of Elements from Residuals Generated by Hydraulic Fracturing in Marcellus Shale

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSwann, Christina Talboten
dc.contributor.committeechairBoardman, Gregory D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberParks, Jeffrey L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberDietrich, Andrea M.en
dc.contributor.departmentCivil and Environmental Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2016-12-17T07:00:25Zen
dc.date.available2016-12-17T07:00:25Zen
dc.date.issued2015-06-25en
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this research was to characterize the residual solids produced from hydraulic fracturing operations in the Marcellus Shale region. Four field samples were evaluated: drilling mud, treated sludge from the chemical treatment of process water, solids from the gravity settling of produced water, and sludge solidified prior to disposal in a municipal landfill. Cement kiln dust (CKD), used for solidification, was also considered in this study. All samples were subjected to a variety of laboratory techniques to determine their elemental composition and the potential for the elements to leach from the landfill. Strong acid digestion using a 3:1 combination of nitric acid to hydrochloric acid in a microwave with closed vessels was used to determine overall elemental composition. Leaching experiments were performed with de-ionized water and acetic acid (0.57%, pH 2.88) in an attempt to respectively evaluate the effects of weak and strong fluids that might be encountered by the residuals in landfill environments. Elements were analyzed by means of ICP-MS revealing the increased tendency for alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and halogens to leach. Leachablility was further increased for metals when exposed to acidic conditions.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:5522en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/73707en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectHydraulic Fracturingen
dc.subjectResidual Solidsen
dc.subjectTrace Metal Characterizationen
dc.subjectLeaching Potentialen
dc.subjectToxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedureen
dc.subjectStrong Acid Digestion of Solidsen
dc.subjectMicrowave Assisted Acid Digestion of Solidsen
dc.titleEvaluating the Leachability of Elements from Residuals Generated by Hydraulic Fracturing in Marcellus Shaleen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineCivil Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Swann_CT_T_2015.pdf
Size:
1.43 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Masters Theses