Plasma-Activated Hydrogen Peroxide for Advanced Oxidation of Hydraulic Fracturing Flowback Fluid

Fracturing flowback fluid is a complex wastewater generated during oil extraction, characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, salts, and various chemical additives, posing substantial risks to both surface water and groundwater if discharged directly. This study investigated the treatment of simulated fracturing flowback fluid prepared with guar gum using low-temperature plasma coupled with hydrogen peroxide technology. The degradation efficacy and preliminary mechanism of the combined system on organic pollutants were explored. Through a systematic optimization of operational parameters in the laboratory, the optimal treatment conditions were determined as a discharge voltage of 18 kV, a hydrogen peroxide addition of 5%, an initial pH of 11, and a treatment time of 110 min. Under these conditions, the synergistic system achieved 89.59 percent degradation of organic pollutants and 92.96 percent chemical oxygen demand removal. The results revealed that the combined action induced breakage of guar gum polymer chains, thereby enhancing degradation efficiency while effectively controlling fluid viscosity. This technology establishes a practical treatment approach for simulated fracturing flowback fluids containing guar gum, thereby facilitating better waste management in the energy sector.