Biofilm-Based Bioremediation Technology for Treatment of Frac Water and Prevention of Acid Mine Drainage

Frac Biologics, Inc. has licensed proprietary biofilm technologies from Allegheny-Singer Research Institute (ASRI), a non-profit, independent research institute and member of the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS), for the treatment of “frac water” and acid mine drainage.

Frac water. The Marcellus Shale is the largest natural gas formation in North America, with an estimated value of more than US$1 trillion. The natural gas is accessed by drilling horizontal wells at a depth of 6,000 feet, and then fracturing the shale to release the natural gas. This fracturing is achieved by pumping several million gallons of fluid (frac water) down into the wells. As the frac water returns to the surface, it brings with it heavy metals such as cadmium, barium, strontium, nickel, radium and uranium. The safe disposal of this contaminated frac fluid is one of the major obstacles in the drilling of the Marcellus Shale.

Frac Biologic’s on-site technology uses naturally-occurring bacterial biofilms, which are complex, slime-enclosed communities that are found in all ecosystems. The removal of dangerous metals by biofilms is rapid and highly efficient, the company says.

Acid Mine Drainage. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) results when atmospheric oxygen penetrates rock and oxidizes pyrites (ferric sulfides), to form sulfuric acid, which then etches the rock and liberates iron salts. AMD occurs very rarely in nature, even in areas of very high pyrite concentration, because a biologically active crust develops on all rock surfaces through the oxidation of small amounts of minerals, the accretion of dust, and the growth of microbial biofilms.

Frac Biologic’s technology uses natural soil microorganisms to prevent oxidation of mine tailings and waste rock.