Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials

The ecological impact linked to hydraulic fracturing, namely with the usage of water and the energy-intensive disposal of flowback fluids, has led to a thorough evaluation of alternative treatment approaches that are more environmentally friendly. The objective of this work was to create coralline-l...

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Main Authors: Huohai Yang, Yeqi Gong, Xin Chen, Renze Li, Yuhang Chen, Mingjun Li, Xinrui Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1568
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author Huohai Yang
Yeqi Gong
Xin Chen
Renze Li
Yuhang Chen
Mingjun Li
Xinrui Tang
author_facet Huohai Yang
Yeqi Gong
Xin Chen
Renze Li
Yuhang Chen
Mingjun Li
Xinrui Tang
author_sort Huohai Yang
collection DOAJ
description The ecological impact linked to hydraulic fracturing, namely with the usage of water and the energy-intensive disposal of flowback fluids, has led to a thorough evaluation of alternative treatment approaches that are more environmentally friendly. The objective of this work was to create coralline-like anatase TiO<sub>2</sub>/α-Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub> particles using a hydrothermal approach. The purpose was to improve the efficiency of photocatalysis by increasing the number of oxygen vacancies. An ozone-assisted photocatalytic reaction was used to increase the composite photocatalyst’s degrading efficiency for fracturing flowback fluid. The fracturing flowback fluid’s chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation efficiency was greatly increased following the introduction of the synergistic treatment system consisting of sedimentation, membrane separation, and ozone photocatalysis. This improvement led to a reduction of 98.42% during a processing time of 90 min, using a Ti/Ni mass ratio of 1:1. This collaborative method partially replaced traditional methods of evaporation concentration and electrochemical degradation, resulting in a 24.18% enhancement compared to individual material catalyst systems. These findings provide crucial insights for improving and optimizing external treatment techniques in shale gas fracturing operations.
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issn 1420-3049
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-e0f1a3d69f704e7aaa83047ffcb6a4fe2025-08-20T03:03:24ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01307156810.3390/molecules30071568Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite MaterialsHuohai Yang0Yeqi Gong1Xin Chen2Renze Li3Yuhang Chen4Mingjun Li5Xinrui Tang6School of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaPetro China Southwest Oil & Gas Field Company, Chengdu 610051, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, ChinaPetro China Southwest Oil & Gas Field Company, Chengdu 610051, ChinaThe ecological impact linked to hydraulic fracturing, namely with the usage of water and the energy-intensive disposal of flowback fluids, has led to a thorough evaluation of alternative treatment approaches that are more environmentally friendly. The objective of this work was to create coralline-like anatase TiO<sub>2</sub>/α-Ni(OH)<sub>2</sub> particles using a hydrothermal approach. The purpose was to improve the efficiency of photocatalysis by increasing the number of oxygen vacancies. An ozone-assisted photocatalytic reaction was used to increase the composite photocatalyst’s degrading efficiency for fracturing flowback fluid. The fracturing flowback fluid’s chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation efficiency was greatly increased following the introduction of the synergistic treatment system consisting of sedimentation, membrane separation, and ozone photocatalysis. This improvement led to a reduction of 98.42% during a processing time of 90 min, using a Ti/Ni mass ratio of 1:1. This collaborative method partially replaced traditional methods of evaporation concentration and electrochemical degradation, resulting in a 24.18% enhancement compared to individual material catalyst systems. These findings provide crucial insights for improving and optimizing external treatment techniques in shale gas fracturing operations.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1568photocatalysis technologyfracturing flowback fluidprocess optimizationwastewater treatment technologiesphotocatalytic materialspollutants
spellingShingle Huohai Yang
Yeqi Gong
Xin Chen
Renze Li
Yuhang Chen
Mingjun Li
Xinrui Tang
Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
Molecules
photocatalysis technology
fracturing flowback fluid
process optimization
wastewater treatment technologies
photocatalytic materials
pollutants
title Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
title_full Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
title_fullStr Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
title_full_unstemmed Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
title_short Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O<sub>3</sub> and Ti/Ni Composite Materials
title_sort investigation into the feasibility of a synergistic photocatalytic degradation process for fracturing flowback fluid streams utilizing o sub 3 sub and ti ni composite materials
topic photocatalysis technology
fracturing flowback fluid
process optimization
wastewater treatment technologies
photocatalytic materials
pollutants
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1568
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