In 2012, at least five patent applications have published related to treatment of hydraulic fracturing water including waste water. We expect this number to grow. A variety of assignees are evident. Lux Research recently published a report on the subject of water treatment. Examples of patent filings include:
General Electric’s 2012/0097614 (interesting: DOE funding is evident);
Encana Corp.’s 2012/0085236 (Calgary);
Aquionics, Inc.’s 2012/0070339 (Kentucky);
Chevron’s 2012/0024525; and
Don Nevin’s 2012/0012307.