EVAPORATION CONSIDERATIONS

Significant Reduction of Evaporation for a Variety of Applications

Presenter:

Ian Cameron, P.Eng.

March 30th, 2016

Agenda

• The Problem: evaporation removing precious water in a variety of applications

• The Physics: behind evaporation

• The Solution: applying a liquid cover product greatly that reduces evaporation

• Other properties of liquid covering

• The Results: significant reduced evaporation

• The $avings

• Applications

• Q & A

• Calculation program for specific operational configurations @ Booth #2
The Problem

Evaporation & Loss of Fluid  real example

• Costs and logistics required to maintain desired fluid volumes

• Mechanical lids are costly, inefficient and could create an unsafe situation

• Wind speed is only a mild 3 mph (5 km/hr) 

• Storage tank outside diameter is 160 feet (48.8m)

• Capacity = 41,000 barrels (6,500 m3) of fluid

(& frac temps)

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• Calculations using common Engineering Toolbox 

formulas tell us:

The Math Behind the Problem

The rate of evaporated water can be expressed as: 

g = (25+19v)A(xs-x)

g is amount of evaporated water in kg/hr

v is velocity of air above the water surface in m/s

A is water surface area in m2

xs is humidity ratio in saturated air at the same temp as the water surface

x is humidity ratio in air

• Loss of water due to evaporation is 209 barrels/day (33.3 m3 /day)

• 10,558,212 btu/hr is the energy lost in this environment in 

keeping the water at a desired frac temperature of 68oF (20oC) 

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• Cold weather applications also incurs huge heating costs
The Solution

Visible Demonstration:

• Heated water temp 

sustained at 114oF (45.5oC)

• Outside air temp of 

- 4oF (-20.0oC)

• Liquid covering stops 

evaporation within seconds

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• Liquid product 

– Easily applied in minutes with or without fluid 

present in the container

(no audio)

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• Liquid product 

– It floats uniformly on top of the fluids

– Fluid levels are easily measured from outside the container 

w/ layer of covering as little as 0.01” (0.25mm) 
• Liquid product 

– HydroShield is resilient in windy conditions

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• Frac Fluid Friendly 

– Does not impact any the performance of the 

frac fluid chemistry. 

– Eg: 1⁄4 cup product added to 1cup frac fluid

– Then gel “crosslinker” is added

– Fresh water or a brine fluid has no impact on 

this liquid cover’s performance 

• Significantly reduces Aerobic Bacteria 

– Reduces biocide requirements to maintain 

frac fluid compatibility 

– Lessens concerns about injected fluids 

altering the reservoir fluid properties 

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• Safety Features

– Does not create a “confined space” environment between 

tank fluid top and below mechanical cover for improved 

safety

– No need to enter the tank thereby eliminating concerns of 

foot traffic causing the liner to be punctured or damaged

– Conforms to any shape of container or pit 

– No waste product to be “trimmed off” for disposal that 

would be associated with that of a mechanical cover

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• Liquid product 

– No need to clean-after-use like a mechanical cover

– No residual moisture / mold with a mechanical cover 

resulting from evaporated H2O

– No on-site mixing costs

– If other fluids are added after this liquid cover is in place, 

they are simply pumped into the container and the cover 

“re-heals” itself within seconds after the agitation has 

stopped 

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• No freeze/thaw concerns 

– Can be stored in cold outdoor 

environments

– Freezing Point 

• -20oF / - 29oC (unapplied)

– Can be applied to fluids that 

are already frozen, then it 

activates when the fluids are 

heated 

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The Results

After only 2 hours of applying the new liquid covering 

Evaporation was reduced by up to 95% 

Evaporation is influenced by:

• relative humidity ratio (air to water)

• wind speed

• cross sectional area exposed

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The Cost Savings 

Savings due to just reduction of frac water loss:

• Evaporation of water is now only 10 barrels/day (1.7 m3 /day) 5%

vs. 209 barrels/day (33.3 m3/day)

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95%

5%

amount of

evaporation after

treatment

(reduction by 95%)
The Cost Savings 

Savings calculations due to just reduction of frac water loss:

• Example @ $ 10.00/bbl* fresh water costs, savings of ~200 barrels/day 

(31.6 m3 /day) = $ 2,000 per day just due to water cost replacement

• Reducing sub-contractor driving and HSE exposure risk 

• Time and mileage charges of ~ $150/hr x 80 miles* each way (3.2 hrs) 

+ 1 hr to load x 2 loads / day** = $1,260 /day saved on time/mileage chgs

* Actual operator quoted cost for water and mileages incurred from North Dakota

** “weight restrictions allow most trucks to haul around 115 bbls” – quote from http://haulwater.com

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Applications

• Frac Water Storage

• Golf Courses

• Ponds

• etc

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Questions?

 Come to exhibitor booth #2 and let us calculate the savings for your 

configured operation

CANADA SALES

Dave Godlien

dave@ritec.ca

403-923-0949

Shawnda Hartley Pew

Shawnda.hartley@yahoo.com

903-915-0066

USA SALES

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Presenter:

Ian Cameron

ianc@cbweng.com

403-815-7662