Frac Sand Plants will spend more than $45 million for
Flocculants by 2025
Frac sand plants around the world will increase their flocculant consumption
over the next five years. Presently 90 percent of the $17 million spent on
flocculants is by U.S. based plants. U.S plants will double their purchases by
2025 and other regions will spend more than $9 million.
The two most common flocculants are polyacrylamide and
polydimethyldiallyammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). Although other types of
flocculants are in use, these chemicals currently make up a majority of the flocculant
use. Polyacrylamide anionic flocculants are commonly used to enhance settling of
solids in the clarifier associated with the wet plant.
PolyDADMAC cationic coagulants are commonly used to enhance the performance of
the belt press associated with wash plants.
There is the need to recycle water in the Permian basin where water is scarce.
The growing markets in China and other countries are also in areas of water
scarcity. There are increasing quantities of sand used per gallon of oil
recovered. Furthermore the cost of extracting oil from shale is proving to
be the lowest cost option. Chevron, ExxonMobil and other major gas and oil
companies are greatly increasing their shale investments. Argentina is in the
early stages of shale development. Saudi Arabia is looking to shale to supply
gas. This gas will be used in power plants and will replace the oil presently
used.
Frac Sand Plants
will spend more than $45 million for Flocculants by 2025