Let's dig into the Fracking

The energy consumption worldwide is rising. Mostly used are fossil fuels as natural gas and coal. Natural gas is already exhausted in many places on the earth. An alternative method for gas extraction is the hydraulic fracturing, also called Fracking.

How does Fracking work?

Deep inside the earth natural gas is enclosed in the rocks. To release the gas, a mix of water, sand and chemicals is used. First of all, a shaft will be drilled several hundred meters into the earth. The Fracking mix will be pumped into the ground. For one turn approx. 8 mil. liters of water are needed. The same water amount could be used by 65'000 people in a day. Several tonnes of sand and 200 thousand liters of chemicals. This mix produces internal cracks in the earth ground. Due to the sand the closing of the cracks is prevented. Almost all the fluid will be pumped back and the natural gas will be recovered. Afterwards, the Fracking fluid will be poured into the drilled hole again and sealed.

Risks:

• Big consumption of fresh water

• Used chemicals: Formic Acid, Mehanol, Hydrochloric Acid & Benzene are toxic and carcinogenic

• Toxic water after the Fracking, this water cannot be cleaned again

• No long term studies, the effect of the enclosed Fracking water is unknown

• About 3 % of the gas is lost during the Fracking and escapes into the atmosphere

• Fracking is gaining gas, but the process requires a lot of energy

• New Fracking holes need be drilled more frequently than for classical gas drills

Because of Fracking the energy costs are lower and allows another way of winning new energy in a short term. But people need to pay attention if this method is bringing more opportunities or danger.

Source:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401

https://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2017/02/23/fracking-is-dangerous-to-your-health-heres-why/#4eea9d195945

Picture:

http://termcoord.eu/2016/06/iate-term-of-the-week-fracking/