Review
Environmental Sciences
Bin Tan, Zhengming He, Yuchun Fang, Lizhong Zhu
Summary: This review focuses on the concentration and chemical composition of organic matter in shale gas flowback and produced water (FPW) in China, as well as the hazards of organic pollutants. Organic removal techniques, including advanced oxidation processes, coagulation, sorption, microbial degradation, and membrane treatment, are systematically reviewed. The influences of high salt on each technique are highlighted. The study concludes that integrated coagulation-sorption-Fenton-membrane filtration represents a promising treatment process for FPW.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenshi Liu, Yu Liu, Ying Xiong, Xiao Xiao, Chunyan Liu, Bo Yuan, Xunchi Pu
Summary: The aim of this study was to find effective and environmentally friendly methods for removing organic matter from shale gas flowback water (SGFW). Fe(VI) was found to remove 57% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) under optimal conditions. Hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) were identified as the main reactive species responsible for oxidation.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaxin Liang, Tianqiao Xie, Yuanhui Liu, Qidong Wu, Yuhua Bai, Baicang Liu
Summary: This study proposed the use of fixed bed adsorption using granular activated carbon (GAC) combined with ultrafiltration (UF) for the treatment of shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW). The results showed that GAC fixed bed effectively removed dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and turbidity, mitigating membrane fouling. The integrated GAC fixed bed-UF process produced high-quality effluents that met water quality standards, making it an effective technology for SGFPW reuse.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenshi Liu, Kai Xiao, Jing Li, Jin Zhu, Lingru Sun, Changtao Chen
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify an effective method for removing organic pollutants from real shale gas flowback water. The UV-Fenton process demonstrated better performance in treating shale gas flowback water, achieving a TOC removal efficiency as high as 70.02% under optimal experimental conditions. The acceleration of the Fe3+ to Fe2+ cycle in the UV-Fenton process led to higher TOC removal efficiency and mineralization of most organic pollutants.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunyan Ni, Limiao Yao, Jianli Sui, Jianping Chen, Fei Liu, Fei Wang, Guangyou Zhu, Avner Vengosh
Summary: This study investigated the disposal and treatment of shale gas wastewater in central China. The results show that the treatment process can effectively reduce the salt and contaminant levels, and the discharged water meets the safety standards. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring the water quality of treated wastewater and implementing comprehensive measures to protect public health and the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuemei Wang, Ying Xiong, Bo Yuan, You Wu, Wanjin Hu, Xin Wang, Wenshi Liu
Summary: This study aimed to develop an effective oxidation method to mitigate membrane fouling in real shale gas flowback water (SGFW) treatment process. The peroxymonosulfate (PMS)/ferrate (Fe(VI)) process was adopted to achieve synergistic removal of organic compounds and alleviate the negative effects of high-salinity environments on oxidation. The results showed that the PMS/Fe(VI) process exhibited a synergistic effect, with a high removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of coagulants and oxidative species. An ultrafiltration membrane fouling experiment proved that oxidation processes can increase the membrane-specific flux and alleviate fouling resistance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dirk Mallants, Jason Kirby, Lisa Golding, Simon Apte, Mike Williams
Summary: The study explored the natural attenuation potential of formation-derived compounds in flowback water from shale gas operations in deep unsaturated zones and groundwater. Results showed that except for salinity and radium-228 in one well, the risk quotient for all other chemicals was less than 1, indicating no concern for ecosystem health.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bing Wang, Mingyang Xiong, Bin Shi, Zhuoying Li, Huan Zhang
Summary: A CND-composite adsorbent was successfully prepared and characterized for removing organic contaminants from shale gas flowback water. The adsorbent showed high removal efficiency for organic carbon and the adsorption mechanisms involved intermolecular interactions, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonds, controlled by both physical and chemical mechanisms. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Overall, the CND-composite adsorbent has potential for effectively removing organic pollutants from wastewater.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jiajia Bai, Guoqing Wang, Qingjie Zhu, Lei Tao, Wenyang Shi
Summary: This study investigated the influence of flowback time and flowback difference on the flowback behavior of shale fracturing fluid. Through permeability tests and analysis of water phase retention in shale samples, it was found that the retention of fracturing fluid in shale does not decrease with increasing flowback pressure difference. Increasing the flowback pressure difference can reduce the shale permeability damage rate, but the damage rate is still above 80%. The water phase mainly stays in the pore space with a diameter less than 100 nm.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jie Yang, Yue Wang, Jing Li, Dong Lin, Chengjun Zhao, Jinyan Hu, Liang Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the performance of the softening-coagulation-flocculation-ultrafiltration (S-C-F-UF) process in treating shale gas fracturing flowback water (SGFFW) and membrane foulings. The results showed that the S-C-F process achieved better water quality and effective removal of pollutants. The fouling mechanism could be controlled by adjusting the dosage of chemicals, meeting the performance requirements of slick water.
PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingda Wu, Linghong Lu, Tao Zhou, Yi Ma, Zhengsong Weng
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption behavior of Cd2+ in water using carbon-modified nanotubes. The results showed that the carbon modification improved the adsorption capacity of the nanotubes for Cd2+ and alleviated the hindrance caused by Ca2+ or Mg2+. The findings of this research are of great importance for the treatment of Cd2+ in water.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bonnie McDevitt, Molly C. McLaughlin, Jens Blotevogel, Thomas Borch, Nathaniel R. Warner
Summary: The study found that not all inorganic PW constituents were removed through the PWRP series, but Ra accumulated in PWRP grab sediments. Ra mineral association with depth in the sediment profile is likely controlled by the S cycle under varying microbial communities and redox conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lun Tian, Yuanhui Liu, Peng Tang, Yushun Yang, Xingrui Wang, Tianxin Chen, Yuhua Bai, Alberto Tiraferri, Baicang Liu
Summary: To meet the rapidly growing demand for lithium batteries, lithium was extracted and recovered for the first time from shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW) in the Sichuan Basin, China. Precipitation pre-treatment using Na2CO3 was employed to enhance the adsorption capacity and selectivity of lithium. H1.33Mn1.67O4 proved to be a promising adsorbent for lithium extraction, and precipitation before adsorption significantly improved its performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wai Li, Jishan Liu, Jie Zeng, Yee-Kwong Leong, Derek Elsworth, Jianwei Tian
Summary: This study proposes the concept of kerogen threshold differential pressure (KTP) to describe the influence of water on gas liberation from kerogen. A fully coupled, multidomain, and multiphysics model is developed to simulate gas extraction from stimulated shale reservoirs, and a sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effects of important factors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weiyang Xie, Jianfa Wu, Xuefeng Yang, Cheng Chang, Jian Zhang
Summary: This study establishes a mathematical model for gas-water two-phase flow in shale gas wells, identifies characteristic parameters and an index system for evaluating flowback effects, and finds the relationship between flowback effects and production capacity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wancen Xie, Guijing Chen, Chen Chen, Zhaoyang Song, Qidong Wu, Lun Tian, Zhongde Dai, Songmiao Liang, Peng Tang, Xiang Zhang, Jun Ma, Baicang Liu
Summary: This study developed a greener method for fabricating large-scale nanofiltration (NF) membranes using polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) co-deposition. The addition of metal-organic framework (MOF) UIO-66 improved the properties of the NF selective layer and enhanced the surface area, resulting in higher permeability. The ternary coated NF membrane exhibited good performance with low molecular weight cut-off, high permeance, and high rejection rates for MgCl2. This research contributes to the advancement of sustainable NF membrane fabrication.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lun Tian, Yuanhui Liu, Peng Tang, Yushun Yang, Xingrui Wang, Tianxin Chen, Yuhua Bai, Alberto Tiraferri, Baicang Liu
Summary: To meet the rapidly growing demand for lithium batteries, lithium was extracted and recovered for the first time from shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW) in the Sichuan Basin, China. Precipitation pre-treatment using Na2CO3 was employed to enhance the adsorption capacity and selectivity of lithium. H1.33Mn1.67O4 proved to be a promising adsorbent for lithium extraction, and precipitation before adsorption significantly improved its performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Guijing Chen, Wancen Xie, Chen Chen, Qidong Wu, Shuhao Qin, Baicang Liu
Summary: In this study, N-Phenylmaleimide-styrene-maleic anhydride (NSM) copolymer was used as an additive to modify the properties of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) composite ultrafiltration membranes. The addition of NSM changed the morphology of the membrane surface and improved its thermal stability and water permeability. The NSM copolymers remained anchored to the membrane surface during phase separation, which affected the membrane separation behavior. Moreover, the NSM-treated membranes exhibited higher rejection rates for humic acid and sodium alginate, showing better anti-fouling performance.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guanyu Zhou, Qidong Wu, Peng Tang, Chen Chen, Xin Cheng, Xin-Feng Wei, Jun Ma, Baicang Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the microplastic contamination in beverages from commonly used plastic cups and investigated the effects of cup material, drink residence time, shaking, and water temperature on microplastic release. The results showed that the use of plastic cups increased the risk of microplastic ingestion, especially with longer exposure time, increased shaking, and consumption of hot drinks.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Na Zhang, Jiaojiao Zhang, Xin Yang, Changxu Zhou, Xiaohui Zhu, Baicang Liu, Yue Chen, Shihong Lin, Zhining Wang
Summary: In this study, an antiwetting and antifouling Janus membrane was developed for water reclamation from hypersaline wastewater. The membrane consists of a hydrogel-like polyvinyl alcohol/tannic acid (PVA/TA) top layer and a hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane substrate. The membrane showed excellent performance in terms of vapor flux and resistance against fouling and wetting. The study also demonstrated the potential application of the membrane in treating challenging saline feed and other wastewater sources.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanhui Liu, Ni An, Lun Tian, Ping Yang, Wei Wang, Baicang Liu
Summary: In this study, carbon aerogel granules (CAGs) were prepared by incorporating porous biochar aerogel (PBA) into a physically cross-linked chitosan matrix for the treatment of shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW). The CAGs exhibited good elasticity and high water adsorption ratio, allowing for fast transfer of pollutants from SGFPW. The CAGs also showed high removal rates for organic pollutants and heavy metals in SGFPW, indicating their potential for on-site treatment.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheng Zhong, Deyi Hou, Baicang Liu, Songbai Zhu, Tong Wei, Joel Gehman, Daniel S. Alessi, Pei-Yuan Qian
Summary: The production of shale gas in China will impact the global energy landscape and carbon neutrality. However, limited and threatened water resources may hinder its expansion. Projected data suggests that water stress will worsen in two-thirds of China's provinces in the next decade. By 2035, annual water use for shale gas extraction is estimated to increase significantly, posing potential risks for water competition in drought-prone areas. Additionally, the wastewater management market is expected to grow to $0.2 billion by 2035. This study emphasizes the need for policies addressing the energy-water nexus to facilitate China's transition to carbon neutrality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuanyu Ji, Alberto Tiraferri, Xiaofei Zhang, Peng Liu, Zhiwei Gan, John C. Crittenden, Jun Ma, Baicang Liu
Summary: Knowledge of the composition and characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in complex shale gas wastewater (SGW) is crucial for evaluating environmental risks and determining effective management strategies. In this study, comprehensive characterization of five SGW samples from four shale gas blocks in the Sichuan Basin, China, was conducted using FT-ICR MS. The results revealed that DOM in SGW has a low average molecular weight, high saturation degree, and low aromaticity. The unique distribution patterns in van Krevelen diagrams indicated various sources of DOM in SGW, including microbial organic matter in shales and biochemical transformations. Additionally, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates and associated biodegraded metabolites and coproducts were identified in SGW, suggesting anthropogenic influence and abundant microbial activities. Furthermore, high rates of DOC removal (31.42-79.23%) were achieved through biological treatment, highlighting the labile nature of SGW and the feasibility of biodegradation for its management. Therefore, it can be concluded that DOM in SGW is a complex but mostly labile mixture derived from both autochthonous and anthropogenic sources.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qidong Wu, Chen Chen, Yongli Zhang, Peng Tang, Xiaoyu Ren, Jingyu Shu, Xinyu Liu, Xin Cheng, Alberto Tiraferri, Baicang Liu
Summary: The study developed a combined process of biological aerated filter (BAF) combined with ultrafiltration to treat polluted reservoir water in rural areas. The performance of the system was evaluated using organic matter indexes, turbidity, and chroma. In a long-term experiment, the system achieved a 85.5% removal rate of DOC with an EBCT of 45 min and granule active carbon (GAC) as filler. The effluents of the system met the requirements for drinking water in China, indicating its practical potential for polluted water treatment in rural areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qi Song, Yihua Li, Wancen Xie, Changfei Gao, Lifen Liu, Baicang Liu
Summary: In this study, an electro-Fenton coupled membrane filtration system was constructed to efficiently degrade micromolecular carbamazepine (CBZ) in aquatic environment. The system involved a composite cathode membrane that filtered out humic acid while allowing CBZ to pass through, followed by an EF process using a magnetic Fe@PC catalyst to degrade CBZ with high efficiency.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Li Wang, Chen Chen, Yueqin Tang, Baicang Liu
Summary: In this study, a novel hypothermic strain Pseudomonas reactans WL20-3 was found to exhibit excellent aerobic nitrate removal ability at 4°C. It showed high capabilities for the removal of nitrate, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), achieving impressive removal efficiencies. Transcriptome analysis revealed gene up-regulation in the nitrate removal pathway, as well as the up-regulation of ABC transporter genes and down-regulation of respiratory chain genes, which contributed to the strain's resistance mechanism at low temperature. In actual sewage, the inoculated strain WL20-3 achieved a nitrate removal efficiency of 70.70%.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guanyu Zhou, Qidong Wu, Xin-Feng Wei, Chen Chen, Jun Ma, John C. Crittenden, Baicang Liu
Summary: Despite the attention given to microplastics in urban areas, knowledge of microplastics in rural drinking water systems is limited. This study investigated the presence and pathways of microplastics in rural drinking water systems and found that treatment processes in water treatment plants effectively removed microplastics, but their abundance increased during transport to end-users. Plastic pipe networks were identified as a key source of microplastics in the drinking water system. Main polymer types were PET, PP, and PE, with potential sources including plastic breakdown, atmospheric deposition, and surface runoff. Rural residents could potentially ingest up to 1034 microplastics annually through tap water consumption. These findings provide important insights into the fate of microplastics in rural drinking water systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiao Jiao, Yihua Li, Tianlie Luo, Qi Song, Lifen Liu, Baicang Liu
Summary: In this study, a ceramic membrane was used as a substrate and thiosemicarbazide (TSC) was cross-linked with graphene oxide (GO) to tune the interlayer spacing of GO nanosheets and suppress their swelling. The prepared GO-TSC membrane exhibited a robust structure and showed great desalination performance with high water flux and salt rejection. This work provides a novel strategy for preparing GO-based membranes for pervaporation (PV) desalination.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lun Tian, Yushun Yang, Guijing Chen, Alberto Tiraferri, Baicang Liu
Summary: The cross-linking method was used to prepare a sodium alginate/hydrogen manganese oxide composite granular adsorbent for extracting lithium from shale gas wastewater. The adsorbent demonstrated excellent hydrophilicity and microporous structure, resulting in high lithium adsorption capacity and efficient recovery through desorption.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Li Wang, Shipeng Wang, Chen Chen, Yueqin Tang, Baicang Liu
Summary: In practical engineering, nitrogen removal becomes difficult at low temperatures or low C/N ratios. This study successfully isolated a strain of Pseudomonas sp. with high nitrogen removal efficiency under low C/N ratio stress and investigated its resistance mechanism in depth.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
