Innovative Chemistry for Water Treatment & Fracturing Fluids
Water science plays a critical role in keeping essential systems running, from municipal treatment networks to high-demand fracturing operations, and each comes with its own challenges in water quality, chemistry, and process stability. Nelson Brothers develops solutions to equip formulators with the chemistry they need to face these challenges head on.
Our Water Science portfolio focuses on three critical application areas: slickwater fracturing fluids, industrial water treatment, and municipal water treatment. Each presents unique performance demands, water chemistries, and processing environments – all of which require carefully engineered polymer systems supported by dependable emulsion chemistry.
The Chemistry Behind Modern Water Science
Across industrial, municipal, and energy markets, effective water management often depends on inverse emulsion polymers (IEPs).
Inverse emulsion polymers are high–molecular weight, water-soluble polymers delivered in a water-in-oil emulsion form. When introduced into water, they rapidly invert, releasing long polymer chains that interact with suspended solids and dissolved contaminants. This mechanism enables clarification, flocculation, sludge dewatering, and friction reduction across demanding environments.
The performance of an inverse emulsion polymer begins with its foundational chemistry. Nelson Brothers develops emulsifiers, inverters, and succinic anhydride intermediates that serve as the building blocks of stable, high-performing polymer systems.
Slickwater Fracturing Fluids and Water Reuse
Hydraulic fracturing and produced water management demand chemistry capable of performing under high shear, elevated salinity, and variable field conditions.
Inverse emulsion polymers are used in fracturing operations for produced water clarification, solids removal, and friction reduction in high-rate pumping systems. These applications require stable emulsions that invert rapidly and maintain polymer integrity during storage, transport, and injection.
Industrial Water Treatment
Industrial water systems require consistent solids removal and sludge management to protect equipment, maintain compliance, and control operating costs. Water chemistry can vary significantly depending on process conditions and discharge requirements.
Inverse emulsion polymers are commonly used for clarification and sludge dewatering. When properly formulated, these systems deliver rapid inversion, strong floc formation, and reliable performance across variable pH, salinity, and solids loading.
Nelson Brothers’ chemistry supports the stability and inversion performance polymer manufacturers rely on in complex industrial environments.
Municipal Water Treatment
Municipal facilities operate under constant pressure to deliver clean water and responsibly manage wastewater, often while navigating seasonal variability and evolving regulatory standards.
Inverse emulsion polymers play an important role in turbidity reduction, suspended solids removal, and sludge dewatering. These systems must activate quickly in high-flow environments and maintain consistent performance across changing water conditions.
The effectiveness of municipal polymer systems depends heavily on emulsion stability and inversion efficiency, areas where emulsifier chemistry plays a decisive role. Nelson Brothers supplies the core components that enable dependable polymer performance in municipal water treatment applications.
Why Nelson Brothers
Nelson Brothers combines decades of emulsifier experience with a modern, market-focused approach to water science. Our products are engineered to elevate the performance of legacy emulsions, withstand variable water qualities, and provide reliable stability under challenging conditions such as high salinity and extreme cold temperatures.
We also offer tailored formulation support, helping customers match the right emulsifier, inverter, or anhydride intermediate to their formulation, water and polymer chemistry, and unique processing conditions.
