Altela Inc released data on 18 May 2011 showing that its treatment technology can treat wastewater from gas shale drilling to comply with Pennsylvania state regulations coming into force the next day.
On 19 April 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) asked for a voluntary stoppage of ineffectual wastewater treatment from hydrofracking operations from natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale area.
Most of the facilities indicated they would comply. However, some have questioned if the technology exists to properly treat the natural gas flowback wastewater, at the present time.
Said Ned Godshall, CEO of Altela Inc. “Our technology can remove the salts, bromide, benzene, and radioactive material in the water, so it can then be reused for the next frac job, or returned to the river with absolutely no human health risk.”
“The PA DEP has verified that the water treated by Altela meets the new stricter Chapter 95 regulations,” said Matt Bruff, chief development officer. A study by the federal Department of Energy’s own National Energy Technology Laboratory stated that an Altela demonstration project completed last year turned drilling frac water into usable water with total dissolved solids levels well below 500 mg/l, the state standard for drinking water safety.
Altela’s new technology, the AltelaRain® 600, has been installed at a plant in Williamsport, PA, to successfully treat over 100,000 GPD (378.5 m³/d) of frac wastewater. Other plants around the state are planned.
“Altela provides the solution now to the frac wastewater treatment,” said Godshall. “We’re set up and ready to provide the treatment options this industry needs. We’re excited about providing a solution to help keep natural gas flowing.”