Cementation process for minerals recovery from Salton Sea geothermal brines
The potential for minerals recovery from a 1000-MWe combined geothermal power and minerals recovery plant in the Salton Sea is examined. While the possible value of minerals recovered would substantially exceed the revenue from power production, information is insufficient to carry out a detailed economic analysis. The recovery of precious metals - silver, gold, and platinum - is the most important factor in determining the economics of a minerals recovery plant; however, the precious metals content of the brines is not certain. Such a power plant could recover 14 to 31% of the US demand for manganese and substantial amounts of zinc and lead. Previous work on minerals extraction from Salton Sea brines is also reviewed and a new process, based on a fluidized-bed cementation reaction with metallic iron, is proposed. This process would recover the precious metals, lead, and tin present in the brines.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5349851
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-53252; ON: DE82014954
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Operation of a mineral recovery unit on brine from the Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area. Report of investigations/1982
Operation of a mineral-recovery unit on brine from the Salton Sea known geothermal resource area
Related Subjects
BRINES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
BY-PRODUCTS
MINERALS
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
GOLD
LEAD
MANGANESE
POWER RANGE 100-1000 MW
SCALING
SILVER
TIN
ZINC
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
METALS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
Geothermal Legacy
150700* - Geothermal Energy- Products & By-Products