Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: June 8, 2006

 

UW, Sheridan R&E Center launching CBM water research project

            How can coal-bed methane discharge water typically high in salts be treated to irrigate crops without damaging soils and other resources?

            That is one of the questions researchers at the University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension (R&E) Center and in the UW College of Agriculture hope to answer.

            They are finalizing a study to determine how water discharged from CBM gas wells in the area affects crops, forages and soil, and what can be done to improve the quality of the water so it can be used for irrigation purposes without harming plants, soils or surface water.

            The study is one of the topics that will be discussed during the Sheridan R&E Center’s annual field day Tuesday, June 27. See separate story for a complete schedule of events at the field day.

            Justin Moss, director of the Sheridan R&E Center east of Sheridan, said the center is launching the study to help CBM companies and agricultural producers make better use of discharge water without harming resources.

            Millions of gallons of water are being pumped to the surface in northeastern Wyoming to release natural gas from coal seams.

            “CBM water is naturally occurring groundwater, which in this area generally has elevated salt levels, particularly sodium. The water is characterized as being alkaline,” Moss said.

            Water high in salts that is pumped to the surface and then used for irrigation purposes or released in drainages can damage resources, he noted.

            The research will also examine how “passive” and “active” treatments can improve the water quality.

            CBM discharge water flowing over rock formations and into holding reservoirs is an example of a passive treatment. Moss said this could remove some of the impurities, similar to water running down a high-mountain stream containing boulders.

            Once the water is in reservoirs, he said, active treatments including reverse osmosis and ion exchange using filtration systems could remove additional impurities.

            “We’ll also look at the feasibility of mixing high quality water with lower quality CBM water for possible irrigation use,” Moss said.

                Moss wants to have infrastructure in place by the end of this year and to start the research next year.

 

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