Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | InnUK/131858/01 | |
| Title | Real-Time Detection of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RDRCS) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Non-conventional oil and gas production) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 25%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 75%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 50%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy) 50%; |
|
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Trolex Limited |
|
| Award Type | Feasibility Study | |
| Funding Source | Innovate-UK | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2015 | |
| End Date | 30 April 2016 | |
| Duration | 13 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £57,995 | |
| Industrial Sectors | ||
| Region | North West | |
| Programme | Competition Call: 1406_FS_ENRG_SG - Shale Gas. Activity Developing technologies for safe and responsible exploration of shale gas | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Trolex Limited (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , University of Hertfordshire (0.000%) |
|
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is one of the major health and safety issues surrounding the operation of the fracking process. Whilst attention in the UK has focussed elsewhere considerable experience has been obtained in the US about the safety implications involved in fracking operations. Silica sand is one of the most important components of the fracking process and whilst it is not itself hazardous, its use in the fracking process creates a very dangerous crystalline silica dust. This dust is recognised as a serious health hazard, causing silicosis and a variety of other life threatening conditions. Current methods of monitoring RCS in the atmosphere rely on its collection onto a filter over a period of time, followed by laboratory analysis to identify the proportion of silica present. This may take up to 2 weeks, by which time any damage has already been done. The objective of this project is to establish the feasibility of a real-time sensor that is capable of measuring the concentration of RCS in the atmosphere on a continuous basis. Such a sensor would be based on an innovative approach to distinguishing the particular characteristics of airborne crystalline silica particles.Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is one of the major health and safety issues surrounding the operation of the fracking process. Whilst attention in the UK has focussed elsewhere considerable experience has been obtained in the US about the safety implications involved in fracking operations. Silica sand is one of the most important components of the fracking process and whilst it is not itself hazardous, its use in the fracking process creates a very dangerous crystalline silica dust. This dust is recognised as a serious health hazard, causing silicosis and a variety of other life threatening conditions. Current methods of monitoring RCS in the atmosphere rely on its collection onto a filter over a period of time, followed by laboratory analysis to identify the proportion of silica present. This may take up to 2 weeks, by which time any damage has already been done. The objective of this project is to establish the feasibility of a real-time sensor that is capable of measuring the concentration of RCS in the atmosphere on a continuous basis. Such a sensor would be based on an innovative approach to distinguishing the particular characteristics of airborne crystalline silica particles. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 14/10/15 | |
