The Characteristics of High-Quality Frac Sand
Oil well drilling Crystalline silica ISO 13503-2:2006
What’s in Frac Sand?
Frac sand is a naturally occurring crystalline silica (quartz) sand that is processed from high-purity sandstone. In its make-up, frac sand differs only slightly from other types of sand, as grains of quartz silica are a major constituent of most inter-coastal sands. The difference is that other sand is a mixture of several minerals and rocks types, which are less durable than quartz.
Frac sand grains are unique in their resistance to being crushed, as well as their very round granule shape. This makes them ideal for use in the process of fracking.
What Is the Role of Frac Sand?
Frac sand plays an important role in the process of fracturing the shale to release natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids from pores in the rock. When the high-pressure water stream forces the small perforations to become larger fractures, frac sand holds these fractures open to continue releasing fossil fuels. Frac sand (or any other type of natural or synthetic substance), when used to prop open these fractures, is called a “proppant.”
When the water pumps are turned off, the fractures need to be held open so that they don’t deflate and close the pores from which the natural gas and oil are derived.
That’s why it’s so important that a proppant is as durable and crush-resistant as possible. The longer the proppant holds up against the enormous pressure of the fractures, the more petroleum can be extracted, maximizing the efficiency of the well.
The Characteristics of High-Quality Frac Sand
1- High Crush Resistance
2- High Sphericity & Roundness
3- Low Solubility
4- Low Turbidity
5- Consistent Grain Size
6- High-Purity silica sand
