Studies of brine chemistry, precipitation of solids, and scale formation at the Salton Sea geothermal field

Technical Report · Mon Jan 08 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6070283· OSTI ID:6070283

Harrar, J E; Otto, Jr, C H; Deutscher, S B; Ryon, R W; Tardiff, G E

Factors affecting the precipitation of solids and deposition of scale from the hypersaline brines of the Salton Sea geothermal field - two potential problems in the proposed utilization of these brines for electric power generation - were investigated. The average physical and chemical composition of the fluid from Magmamax No. 1 well was noted and the effects of changes in well flowrate on the chemistry of the brine and the formation of solids were determined. The effects of pH on the process stream chemistry and on the composition and rates of formation of solids and scale that precipitated from this brine were studied. Reduction of the pH from 6 to 4-5 decreased the scaling rates and increased the proportions of bariun sulfate and calcium fluoride in the scales and precipitated solids. These studies were conducted using a small-scale four-stage brine flash system constructed at the site.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6070283
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52640
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150903* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Corrosion
Scaling & Materials Development
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM SULFATES
BRINES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM FLUORIDES
CALCIUM HALIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
FLASHED STEAM SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
Geothermal Legacy
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POWER GENERATION
PRECIPITATION
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SAMPLING
SCALING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS