When you are in involved in hydraulic fracturing, then you understand the importance of using a quality proppant. From the common frac sand to synthetic resins, the options from which to choose for your hydraulic fracturing job are multiple. The following is a breakdown of different types of proppants and their qualities.
Ceramic Proppants
The benefit of man made, ceramic proppants is their consistency. Each grain is the same size and shape, allowing them to be uniform across the board. Because of the uniformity, ceramic proppants stack more efficiently, allowing more natural gases to flow through unimpeded.
Frac Sand Proppants
When silica sand is used as a proppant, the smoothness and uniformity of shape are both important factors in determining the strength and quality of the frac sand proppant. Even the smoothest and most uniform frac sand granules don’t stand up to the strength of a ceramic proppant. However, frac sand is a naturally occurring proppant, causing it to be much more environmentally friendly. Also, it is lower priced and completely untreated. The compromise is the reduction in strength and permeability.
Resin Coated Frac Sand Proppants
Resin coated proppants, known as RCP’s are a compromising mix between frac sand and ceramic proppants. RCP are high quality granules of silica sand that have been coated by a strengthening outer layer of resin. The resin is applied via hot or cold coating. This increases the performance, strength, and quality of the frac sand.
From the strongest ceramic proppant to the weakest RCP’s, there are multiple options from which to choose for your hydraulic fracturing process. Each has their own benefits and range in price.
For more information on hydraulic fracturing and frac sand equipment, visit the Frac Sand sections of the Del Sol Industrial Services website.