Solid waste problems in geothermal operations

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5352708

Vetter, O J

The solid waste generated in geothermal operations is not limited to silica as often assumed. The silica by itself does not cause unsurmountable solid waste problems. However, numerous other solids coprecipitating with the silica cause major problems in many high temperature liquid-dominated fields. Solid waste disposal and/or utilization problems are further complicated by the relationships between the formation of scale, i.e., solid deposits adhering to the hardware, and suspended solids to be removed in the various brine treatment facilities prior to reinjection of the heat-depleted brine. All these complex relationships are explained in this paper by using the rough data from the MCR Mercer 2 field experiments published by DOE/DGE in 1981 and 1982. Approximately 2000 lbs. of a solid, rather impure iron hydroxychloride plus numerous other solid metal compounds are formed from the fluids per well and day.

• Research Organization: Vetter Research Inc.
• OSTI ID: 5352708
• Report Number(s): CONF-830312-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE11750
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150600* -- Geothermal Energy-- Environmental Aspects
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONTROL
COPRECIPITATION
DISPERSIONS
FLUIDS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
MANAGEMENT
MINERALS
MIXTURES
OPERATION
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRECIPITATION
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
SCALE CONTROL
SCALE MODELS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SOLID SOLUTIONS
SOLID WASTES
SOLUTIONS
STRUCTURAL MODELS
THERMODYNAMICS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES
WELLS