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Natural Filtration | AlgaeOrganizations like Greenpeace oppose fracking, believing it diverts from real solutions – such as energy efficiency and renewables– and that the full effects on the environment and health have not been fully investigated or addressed. Many concernshave also been raised about its potential to contaminate water supplies. Illustration courtesy of The Checks andBalances Project, a U.S. government and industry watchdog group.and maintenance costs can also behigh. Centrifuges are also very expensivewhen used to dewater completelydiluted algae. Chemical treatmentshave to be replenished and effluentwater must be treated before it can bereused, while mechanical systems arealso both energy and cost-intensive.CLEAN-FRACHaving looked to the future, however,OriginOil has realized there is amuch more immediate opportunityfor its Single Step Extraction technology– the removal of the carbon contaminantsin the dirty frac flowbackwater produced by the oil and gasmining industries.Hydraulic fracturing – fracking –involves the high-pressure pumpingof a mixture of water, sand andchemicals into underground gasbearingbeds of shale rock. The effectis to shatter the shale and allowthe gas to escape, and in the U.S. thetechnology has undergone a dramaticexpansion, which has alreadyled to a substantial fall in gas prices.Under extreme high hydraulicpressure, frac fluids (such as distillate,diesel fuel, crude oil, dilute hydrochloricacid, water, or kerosene)are pumped down through productiontubing or drill pipes and forced24 • June 2013 • www.filtnews.comout again.The pressure causes cracks toopen in the formation and the fluidpenetrates the formation through thecracks. Sand grains, aluminum pellets,walnut shells, or similar materials– propping agents – are carried insuspension by the fluid into thecracks. When the pressure is releasedat the surface, the frac fluid returnsto the well but leaves behind thesepropping agents to keep the formationcracks open. The fluid used forpenetration of the frac must be cleanand cannot contain sand or other organicsthat may be harmful for eitherthe process or the environment. The