Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Fall 10-31-1994
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
John R. Schuring
Second Advisor
Paul C. Chan
Third Advisor
Victor Ososkov
Abstract
The objective of this laboratory study was the development of two novel improvements to the pneumatic fracturing process which would extend its present application. The first involved use of surfactant during pneumatic injection, and the second was subsurface injection of "time-release" dry nutrient pellets for enhancement of in situ biodegradation.
Bench scale tests demonstrated that pneumatic fracturing can be successfully performed with air containing a surfactant solution (foam fracturing). The results showed that foam fracturing followed by increased the rate of surrogate contaminant removal from 8% to 10% compared with regular pneumatic fracturing. These increases were attributed to enlarged fracture networks and increased airflow. Commercially available anionic surfactants, which are biodegradable, were used for the process. Recommendations for field scale applications were also developed.
It was also shown that injection of time release nutrient pellets into subsoil during pneumatic fracturing is feasible. Bench scale equipment for this process was developed and tested. Mechanical damage of the nutrient pellets during pneumatic injection was evaluated by different methods, and it was determined that serious damage was sustained above 75 psi. These results suggest pellets with higher mechanical strength characteristics are necessary for successful field integration with pneumatic fracturing process.
Recommended Citation
Rahman, Atiqur Md., "Integration of surfactants and time release nutrients with pneumatic fracturing process" (1994). Theses. 1669.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1669
