Proppants -- Random Note -- May 11, 2021

See this note for background.

From this link studying proppant and shale, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 54, 2233 - 2248(2021):

The technology of cross-linked fracturing fluids and proppant with a larger grain diameter of 0.850 ÷ 0.425 mm is usually used to fracture the rocks with an increased content of clay minerals and increased plasticity (Rickman 2008). 

Fracturing fluid used in our experiment was crosslinked natural polymer 30# (Fig. 6b). The composition of the fluid was as follows: tap water, biocide, gelling agent—natural polymer (guar) in powder 3.6 kg/m3, clay minerals stabilizer and clay swelling inhibitor, nanoemulsion, pH buffer, crosslinker (boron compounds), 2.0 l/m3, viscosity breaker, 2.4 l/m3. 

As proppant material—intermediate strength ceramic proppant ISP 20/40 was used. Proppant grain size was between 0.850 and 0.425 mm; mean grain size was 0.673 mm. Bulk density of proppant was 1.89 g/cm3. The proppant have an average sphericity of 0.88 and an average roundness of 0.85. 

From this link on proppants: 

The size range of the proppant is very important. 

Typical proppant sizes are generally between 8 and 140 mesh (106 µm - 2.36 mm), for example 16-30 mesh (600 µm – 1180 µm), 20-40 mesh (420 µm - 840 µm), 30-50 mesh (300 µm – 600 µm), 40-70 mesh (212 µm - 420 µm) or 70-140 mesh (106 µm - 212 µm). When describing frac sand, the product is frequently referred to as simply the sieve cut, i.e. 20/40 sand.

8 - 140 mesh: 106 µm - 2.36 mm
16 - 30 mesh: 600 µm - 1180 µm
20 - 40 mesh: 420 µm - 840 µm
30 - 50 mesh: 300 µm - 600 µm
40 - 70 mesh: 212 µm - 420 µm

1,000 nanometers = 1  µm