Investigation into the Feasibility of a Synergistic Photocatalytic Degradation Process for Fracturing Flowback Fluid Streams Utilizing O3 and Ti/Ni Composite Materials

The ecological impact linked to hydraulic fracturing, namely with the usage of water and the energy-intensive disposal of flowback fluids, has led to a thorough evaluation of alternative treatment approaches that are more environmentally friendly. The objective of this work was to create coralline-like anatase TiO2/α-Ni(OH)2particles using a hydrothermal approach. The purpose was to improve the efficiency of photocatalysis by increasing the number of oxygen vacancies. An ozone-assisted photocatalytic reaction was used to increase the composite photocatalyst’s degrading efficiency for fracturing flowback fluid. The fracturing flowback fluid’s chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation efficiency was greatly increased following the introduction of the synergistic treatment system consisting of sedimentation, membrane separation, and ozone photocatalysis. This improvement led to a reduction of 98.42% during a processing time of 90 min, using a Ti/Ni mass ratio of 1:1. This collaborative method partially replaced traditional methods of evaporation concentration and electrochemical degradation, resulting in a 24.18% enhancement compared to individual material catalyst systems. These findings provide crucial insights for improving and optimizing external treatment techniques in shale gas fracturing operations.